In last weeks sermon our pastor said:

“The only prayer which won’t be answered is the prayer which hasn’t been prayed.”

This statement challenged me. I am not sure whether to agree with it or not. It made me think about how God answers prayers – if he does. I am pretty sure that God answers prayers, no doubt.

What I have realized is that I always expect God to answer my prayer in a way that I think it should be. I have an opinion about how it should look like and when God should answer it. This way of thinking is limiting God and putting myself in a place where I am not supposed to be.

There is this huge question many Christians have and no one really has the “correct” answer.

How do we have to pray to get healed? Which prayers does God answer and how much faith do we need for it?

The past four years I have been praying for healing of my body. I have a coeliak disease which forces me to avoid gluten (wheat, barley, malt etc). Everytime I eat gluten (not on purpose) or only the herbes containing gluten I suffer from heavy pain and the toilet has to be close. (No more details on that). Many people have prayed for me as well. Just last night the chef didn’t know whether or not the ingredients he used contained gluten. It is always a matter of trust if I should eat the food or not. Not a really pleasing situation when you want to enjoy the evening. Anyways, when I finally realized that the food did in fact contain gluten, and my stomach started hurting, I prayed this prayer:

“Lord, I don’t know why I am not healed. You know it. What I know is that at least the pain can be taken away. Please Lord as I give everything to you I also give you the pain and ask for a good night sleep.”

After a few minutes I fell asleep. When I woke up this morning there was no more pain. There is no painkiller which helps in this situation. I usually have to wait and suffer until my stomach calmed down.

I am not wise enough to answer this specific question. What I have learned or decided for myself is that I want to let God be God. I come before him with a sincere heart and God will answer my prayer how he has prepared an answer.

It’s my focus which changes the attitude behind my prayer.