I’ve attended many Christian services and meetings where people reported wonderful, dramatic answers to prayer. These fine folks related how God healed their disease, saved their relatives, rescued them from financial doom, or preserved their children’s marriage. The congregation raised hands, praised the Lord and applauded. The preacher rejoiced and quoted, “The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.” I listened to these glowing reports of victory and wondered how those who couldn’t report a victory felt–those whose prayers weren’t answered. These fine Christians believe in Jesus, accept His promises as true, and pray for deliverance but nothing happens. Perhaps things grow worse. Some of these fine folks die of disease. Others believe that God answers prayer but end up in bankruptcy. Sometimes their marriages aren’t preserved.
Here’s what we can do when we can’t report a victory.
When You Can’t Report a Victory, Believe That God Loves You 
Unanswered prayer does not indicate anything about what God is like. The human mind tells us that unanswered prayers mean that God doesn’t love us. At least, he doesn’t love us as much as he does the people who report victories.
That is incorrect. God is the same whether he answers or doesn’t answer human requests. He is love, has always been love, and forever will be love.
Quit trying to figure out why God does or does not answer prayer. Believe he is loving you. We cannot always figure life out but we can always figure on God’s help. “He never takes his eyes off the righteous” means he cannot forget you. “He does no wrong” assures you that your pain will bring about benefit. Pain is never enjoyable but God’s love transforms the pain of unanswered prayer into a favor. “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.”
When you can’t report a victory, hold this reassuring promise in your thoughts. “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.”
When You Can’t Report a Victory, Value Sweetness of Spirit
Loving God wholeheartedly keeps us sweet when he let’s us hurt. Let’s admit that we don’t understand everything about answered and unanswered prayer. But let’s concentrate on our knowledge, not on our ignorance.
We know God is trying to free us from loving him conditionally. Conditional love for God demands that He answer prayer in the way we prescribe. This feeling requires God to dispense His blessing in the way we imagine and at the time we expect. When things don’t go our way, we become embittered toward our heavenly Father.
We must ask God to help us value sweetness of spirit the way He treasures it. When God allows you to go through fire and water, when He refines you like gold and silver, remember that He intends to bring you to a place of abundance. This place enables you to love God like God loves you – unconditionally.
When you hear other folks report victories, “rejoice with those who rejoice.” Don’t question, “Why them and not me?” Reject feelings of inferiority or jealousy. Choosing to rejoice with those who rejoice fills you with Jesus’ sweet spirit.
Scriptures referred to: Luke 18:27; Job 36:7; Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 38:17; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 66:10-12; Romans 12:15
My book Profiting From the Path of Most Resistance will help you:
Harvest the benefit of suffering. God designed benefit into the suffering that afflicts His people. This harvest leads us into a life of unconditional victory. Bring out the encouragement in Scripture.
Even though suffering benefits God’s people, we often become discouraged and give up before harvesting the victory He intends. Scripture fortifies us with divine courage to keep going. Illustrate the love of God.
God’s love for us never wavers. He only intends the best for us, whether life treats us nicely or badly, pleasantly or unpleasantly.
Stimulate appreciation of perseverance. Perseverance enables us to endure until we reap the benefit of suffering.
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