UNANSWERED PRAYERS

READ: John 11:17-44

ANSWER THIS: What prayers have you been praying that still haven’t been answered?

THE BREAKDOWN

Jesus and his disciples arrive in Bethany to discover Lazarus has been dead for four days. When word gets out that Jesus has arrived, Mary stays home to grieve, while Martha goes out to see him.

Torn between frustration and faith, Martha tells Jesus if only he’d been there, Lazarus wouldn’t be dead. But, it hasn’t shaken her belief that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus assures her Lazarus will rise again, leading Martha to think he means Lazarus will experience new life one day, when the world is made new (you'll read more about this on Day 31).

Soon after, Mary, followed by a crowd of mourners, joins Martha and Jesus and expresses the same sentiment her sister did about Jesus’ late arrival. “If only you had been here . . . ”

Deeply moved by Mary’s grief, and with anger rooted in knowing this was never the way God intended life to be, Jesus weeps as they lead him to Lazarus’ burial place. Some people, in their insensitivity, use the moment to criticize him for neglecting his close friend, and not coming earlier to heal him.

Arriving at the tomb where Lazarus is buried, Jesus tells those present to move the stone covering the entrance. Martha is worried about the odor from a 4-day-old corpse, so Jesus gently reminds her that Lazarus would rise again.

Looking up toward Heaven, Jesus thanks God for what he’s about to do, then yells, “Lazarus, come out!” And, Lazarus does! Like a mummy, wrapped in the traditional grave clothes of the time.

Everyone must have been in shock, as Jesus tells them to unwrap Lazarus and set him free.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

“Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks tells of a common experience we all share: We think when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, He doesn’t care. We think if He would do this, or do that, or act quicker, or stop something from happening, things would turn out differently. That may be true, but God knows what’s best, and has bigger and better plans for us.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a great example. If Jesus had healed Lazarus, as Martha and Mary wanted, they would have missed out on a much greater miracle . . . proof that Jesus had power over death.

In not too many days, he would prove it, again.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

What is your unanswered prayer? You can be sure God cares, even if you don’t feel like He does. He rarely answers prayers the way we’d like. But, He does give us strength to carry on, until He answers our prayers in His perfect way and perfect timing.

PRAYER

“Heavenly Father, I’m desperate. Life is so hard right now, and it seems like You’re not answering my prayers. But, I know You care, and Your timing isn’t my timing. So, give me Your strength to live one day at a time, until that day I get to experience Your perfect answer.”