Godly parents prayed for their sick son and got all medical attention. Yet, he died. They were shattered, stopped going to church, and said they did not believe in God anymore. The bitterness of their experience made them doubt God’s existence. King David prayed that his son should be healed, but he died. He worshipped the Lord and said: “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:22-23)
God is not obliged:
Some misunderstand that God is obliged to fulfill or answer all the prayers of his children. According to them, God is bound to answer, he is obliged to answer, and he has no other option.
First, God as Sovereign God is not obliged to be answerable or accountable to anyone. A potter need not oblige or reply to clay. (Isaiah 45:9)
Second, sinful humans do not have any rights before God. Grace is God’s mercy shown to ill-deserving, nil-deserving, and hell-deserving sinners. Mercy and grace are prerogatives of God and not an obligation.
Third, God is good and will answer prayers that are appropriate and for the benefit of those who love him. Prayers that would hinder His plan and purpose will not be answered.
Fourth, God is wise, not to answer all prayers. Many are immature and do not know what to ask and what to pray for. Some ask things that are harmful or destructive in the long run. A two-year-old could ask for a knife, which is dangerous, harmful, and even life-threatening. A wise father will not oblige, and so is our Heavenly Father.
Five, God knows the future. Believers who pray are unaware of what will happen tomorrow or thereafter. However, God knows the future. Hence, keeping the future in mind, God may reject or postpone answering such prayers.
Do I have the right understanding of prayer?