Praying with no answer yet

You want escape.  You want the easy way out.  And who wouldn't?  You've prayed and prayed and still no relief.  You even fasted.  You have the faith.  You believe God implicitly. And still your prayers go unanswered.

You start to believe that it is not God's will to heal your loved one.  Years have passed.  Still no end in sight.

What happens to our faith when our most heartfelt, fervent prayers are not answered when and how we like?

I have found that I either get more persistent - pray more often - or I am tempted to just give up. "I guess it is not God's will to provide in this way." 

How do we seek God and believe He has the best in mind when He allows a painful situation to continue?

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed everyone who believed in His healing power, who believed in Him.  Over and over we read in the gospels where He says, "Your faith has made you well."  (Mark 5:34) Or "According to your faith, let it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)

So how do we respond when we do not see Jesus answering our faith-filled prayers for healing?

I supposed we simply keep fighting the good fight of faith no matter how long it takes.  And even if our prayers are never answered the way we like this side of heaven, we are still building our faith.  We are still showing that we trust the Lord for Who He is, not just what He does.  

I believe that the Lord answers each and every prayer we pray.  I believe that the Lord knows exactly what He is doing.  I believe that He is all-powerful to heal any sickness or disease.  After all, He raises the dead to life.  So healing is not an issue for Him.

So when God does not heal the way we want or when we want, He is saying, "Wait."  Or He is saying, "I know exactly what I am doing."  I don't think He says, "No" when it comes to healing.  He is far too compassionate for that.

But I do believe that in His infinite wisdom, He is postponing the healing we so desperately want for a higher purpose.  I believe that He could heal instantly if He so wills.

He is the Great Physician, to be sure. 

But He is also our loving Father Who always knows what is best for us.

So we press on to know the Lord, to trust Him, to wait on Him, and to keep asking Him for what we want.  But when He does not answer us with a "Yes,"  we do not lose faith in Him.  

We keep trusting.  We keep waiting.  We keep praying.  This then is we build a strong faith.