I often pray for success ‑ not selfishly to be successful, but for the successful accomplishment of tasks and events that are part of my service to the Lord. I pray for successful training conferences, and field visits, and board meetings, and many other related ministry matters. Right now I am praying for PFI as we attempt to find new sources of income in this difficult economic environment, our success in this could have far reaching significance in the life of our fellowship.
Prayer is a strange thing however. We pray, but God knows our needs even before we ask. If we pray, having faith though small as a mustard seed, even mountains can be moved. If we pray in the name of Christ whatever we ask will be done. Now what’s strange about this is that my experience of prayer is that God sometimes either seems silent or says no to my requests. I think I have faith, I pray in Christ’s name, and He knows the importance of the things I pray for anyway ‑‑ without my asking.
The explanation I’ve heard since childhood is that God doesn’t answer either because there maybe sin in my life or because I’m asking for the wrong things. This answer has never satisfied me because I know I’ll never be sinless, and insofar as asking for the right things is concerned, it seems rather like trying to second‑guess God in order to achieve a record of positive responses to my prayers.
While it is true that sin disrupts our relationship with God and while it is necessary to discern the will of God and thus to pray for the right things, I’ve come to the conclusion that these are only one side of the matter. The truth is that God always hears and answers the prayers of His people. Sometimes His answer is yes, sometimes it’s no, and oftentimes it’s wait.
St. Paul was a zealous Christian worker. Being an ex‑prisoner he would likely have been a most suitable candidate for work with PFI. He saw on one occasion an opportunity to bring the gospel to Asia but the Holy Spirit said, no. So he thought instead to go to Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow him. So he went to the part of Troas where he waited, since he could go no further. While he was waiting he had a vision of need in Macedonia and became convinced that God was calling him to preach the gospel in Europe (Philippi). Twice God said no to Paul’s plans. Then He had Paul wait in Troas. Then He urged Paul on to Europe by His divine yes.
God sometimes says no to me and at other times causes me to wait for an answer. I’ve come to the conclusion that His no is as good as His yes. His no is not any less significant an answer than His yes. When we pray, God answers and while we hope for a yes, His no may actually be the best answer in the light of the Kingdom.
It was the no of God that led Paul to be in a position to respond to the call from Macedonia. Thus the gospel came to Europe at Philippi. God always answers prayer, and while we plan and anticipate and work in one direction it may very well be that the no of God will come to us, causing a change of direction. His no is as good as His yes because He is building His Kingdom and knows the beginning from the end.
Ronald W. Nikkel is the president and CEO of Prison Fellowship International (PFI). For more information, visit the PFI web site.