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The Mystery of Unanswered Prayer
by Bill Hybels
Topic: How to cope with unanswered prayer
Big Idea: God always has the right answer to our requests: "No," "Slow," "Grow," or "Let's go."
Keywords: Prayer: Lord's Prayer

Introduction

• I've counseled countless people on the mystery and agony of unanswered prayer.

• Like us, the disciples made inappropriate requests of Jesus, and he said, "No."
• Illustration: In this lengthy illustration, Hybels describes a time when the board of elders at his church prayed fervently for a person to fill a staff position. Once they had decided who they wanted to join the team, Bill sat down to lunch with the man and prayed that God would provide the right opportunity for him to make the offer. He sensed God saying, "No." Later, the elders discovered that the man had deception in his life and he would indeed have been a bad fit for the job.

• Like children, we dislike the words, "Not yet," as God shakes his head at us.
• God has reasons for his "Not yets;" we must not insist we know better than he.

• Relational discord will cut us off from close fellowship with God.
• When we disobey, God says, "Why should I honor your requests when you don't honor mine?"

• God wants to move that mountain for us; to change that circumstance; to answer that prayer.
• You'll be amazed at how often God will say, "Let's go!"

• I encourage you to follow the greatest pattern of prayer of all time: the Lord's Prayer.

49-Hybels