When God’s Answers Don’t Match Our Prayers

Sometimes, no matter how hard we pray, things don’t turn out the way we had hoped.

Years ago, my former pastor’s sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The prayer warriors of the church prayed nonstop for her, but she still passed away. She was the first person I prayed for who wasn’t healed. I didn’t know what to think—it rattled me.

I confided in my spiritual mentor at the time, and he said, “But she is healed—just not the way we wanted. She’s healed right now in heaven.”

Not long ago, a friend’s husband was also diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given 3 to 6 months to live. But God gave him two more years. He wasn’t fully healed here on earth, but God granted him two more years with his loved ones.

These are two examples of prayers where the outcomes weren’t what we had hoped for—Habakkuk 1:2 (TLB) comes to mind: “O Lord, how long must I call for help before you will listen? I shout to you in vain; there is no answer.”

On August 8, 2025, I watched the online Celebration of Life for Dodie Osteen, mother of Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church. Her grandson shared a conversation they had during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had asked her, “Is it hard to pray with people when they don’t get healed?”

Her response was a mic-drop moment:

“Sometimes we get so concerned about God’s job, we stop doing ours. Our job is to pray.”

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for someone is to pray for them and trust God to do what we cannot. God can handle our questions. He’s not surprised or offended by our whys—just don’t get stuck there.

My friend, Shelley Hitz, author and co-founder of Christian Book Academy, said, “The enemy is sneaky. He tries to convince us that small prayers and simple obedience don’t matter.  But God reminded me that our job is to lift our shield of faith, obey, and trust Him with the results.”

Consider these scriptures:

·       Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV):

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

·       Acts 1:7 (NIV):

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.”

·       Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV):

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

These scriptures remind us that some knowledge is reserved for God alone. Many more scriptures call us to trust Him. Our understanding is limited. God is sovereign—meaning He is in full control of everything, including what happens in our lives, from life to death.

That truth doesn’t always ease our hurting hearts, but even when we don’t have answers to our whys this side of heaven, we can hang on to the promise found in Revelation 21:4 (NIV):

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Think of it: true Peace, true Joy, true Hope, and best of all, True Love. So, through our tears, let us remind ourselves that one day, things will be more than okay.

Let me close with what a wise friend once shared:

The PUSH acronym:

Pray

Until

Something

Happens

We are on this prayer journey together. Let's encourage one another as we turn to Him and let God comfort and strengthen us. In the meantime, keep PUSHing, in the name of Jesus.