Thank GOD for Unanswered Prayer

Garth Brooks sings this song,

"Unanswered Prayers"

Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
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I do not exactly agree with the wording "unanswered prayers", because I believe that our GOD always answers our prayers, it is just that whe HE says "NO" we feel like HE has not answered us. If the answer is not the one we wanted, we feel that HE is not answering. So what many may call "unanswered prayers" are actualy answered by GOD with "NO, I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU"... We may not know in our lifetime just what that is, but you can be sure that we will agree when we look back at what HE had for us.

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Consider GOD's teaching in HIS WORD...

Now ,if someone asks in the proper way for what he needs, how will his prayer be regarded?
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24.

Do we need to have more than faith in order that our hearts shall not condemn us, and that we may have the things of which we ask?
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." 1 John 3:22.

Okay, then is living a life that please GOD enough? If we waver in what we ask for then, what do we gain?
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any- thing of the Lord." James 1:6, 7.

How about this?... If a prayer is offered while we are cherishing an unforgiving spirit toward another, then what will happen?
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may for- give you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:25, 26.

Now, how important is GOD's Ten Commandments when it comes to our prayers. What answer will I receive if I turn away my ear from hearing any commandment in the Ten Commandment Law?
"Even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9.

Okay.... so, when the conditions are complied with, then on which answers to prayer may be expected, for what may we ask?
( 1) For the forgiveness of sin, 2 Chron. 7:14; 1 John 5:16; Matt. 5:44;
(2) for the Holy Spirit, John 14:16; Luke 11:13;
(3) for deliverance in the hour of temptation and danger, Matt. 6:13; John 17:11; Prov. 3:26; Ps. 91;
(4) for wisdom and understanding, James 1:5; 1 Kings 3:9; Dan. 2:17-19;
(5) for the healing of the sick, James 5:14, 15; 2 Kings 20;
(6) for the prosperity of the ministers of God, Eph. 6:18, 19; 2 Thess. 3:1;
(7) for those who suffer for the truth's sake, Heb. 13:3; Acts 12:5;
(8) for rulers, Ezra 6:10; Acts 23:5;
(9) for temporal prosperity, that the work of God be not hindered, James 5:17, 18; Zech. 10:1;
(10) for the Lord to vindicate His cause, 1 Kings 18:30-39;
(11) for the coming of Christ, Matt. 6:10; Rev.22:20.
(12-infinity) For anything that GOD has promised in HIS WORD, we may claim as ours, if we will honor HIM and fulfill the conditions of each promise, HE will honor the promise for us in our lives.

What does it mean if an answer does not come at the time and in the manner expected, what should be the attitude of the one who is praying?
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Ps. 37:7.