Beginning with Christ: Part 4 (Assurance of Answered Prayer)
The tug-o-war of prayer
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Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24 (ESV)
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There’s a tremendous tension to prayer.
On the one hand, God calls us to approach Him boldly. Asking for our requests almost with impudence. Almost embarrassing with the big, bold requests He wants us to make. (Joshua asked God to make the sun stand still … that’s a bold request!)
On the other hand, God is not a magic genie.
We cannot just flippantly ask Him for things and expect to get them just because.
Thus, sometimes the answers to our prayers are, “No.”
Tough, but when that happens I remind myself that God’s got far more wisdom than I do. I trust Him to take care of me and I know that if He’s saying “no” then He’s got a good reason.
Other times the answer is, “Yes,” which is easy enough to understand.
But sometimes God answers us with a “not yet.”
Often that feels like silence. In those times when I feel like God is silent, I must lean into Him more. Perhaps there is some deeper lesson He is teaching me about faith … or maybe He is doing some transforming work and I’m not ready for the “yes” quite yet.
In all cases, God is good and He answers the prayers of His children.
And something else:
God promises to guide us … but that’s a topic for tomorrow.
— Ricky Ketchum
P.S. If you want a deeper dive in the Lessons on Assurance, NavPress publishes a book by that name. I’ve found it helpful and encourage you to grab a copy for yourself.
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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