Originally posted on FB February 3, 2012

God wants you to pray. God wants opinions in the opinion box. He made humans with free will because he wants us to be more than part of creation – he wants us to be co-creators. He wants us to voluntarily participate in our lives and to choose good over evil.

But He doesn’t do what you ask Him to do because you ask Him to do it.

God answers prayers all the time. Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it is no. Sometimes it is not now. If you don’t get what you prayed for – be thankful. Yes. Be thankful. We humans simply do not have the sense of perspective necessary to know what is best for us. Children may ask their parents for the latest toy, and their parents may refuse. The child gets upset. But the parents know that the child has gotten all the previous latest toys and ignored them. Or, they know that they are saving up for something better, so they can’t spend their money on this item.

I have a friend whose husband prayed for healing for a family friend. The friend died. Now the husband says he doesn’t know what to believe. He should believe that God is in charge. Who are we to tell God what to do? Who are we to even presume to go to our Creator and say “you have to do this” – like spoiled little children?

“When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Rabbi Harold Kushner is very helpful on this subject.

The Bible is full of examples of people who apparently changed God’s mind. His wrath was turned away, or special dispensation was made, or healing occurred when there was no hope previously. But God does what God does. If you get what you ask for, cool. But if you don’t get what you ask for – cool as well. It is more than likely for the best. Remember the old saying – “Watch what you pray for – you may get it.” Fortunately God will give you nothing bad. It may not seem good to you at the time, but with time and perspective, you may come to see the wisdom in not getting what you wanted.