Vol. 5 No. 20 August 13, 2006

Sometimes God Says “NO”.

Written By Christopher Mentzer

In today’s society when something goes right for people they say, “My prayers have been answered!” If something doesn’t go right for people they say, “Well, God is testing me to see if I really want it.” Or they might say, “God hasn’t said ‘Yes’ yet.” Did it ever occur to them that God might say ‘No’? Of course not! Because most of the religious people out there think that God would never say ‘No’.

Here’s a perfect example, televangelist Fred Price has written a book called, “Answered Prayer Guaranteed”. From Amazon.com, here’s part of the description of his book:

This veteran pastor debunks the teaching on prayer that says, "Sometimes God says Yes, sometimes He says No, and sometimes He says Wait." Too often Christians simply pray the wrong prayer and expect god to cover for them.

What about 2 Cor. 12: 7-9? It is written, “And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. 8. Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9. And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for `my' power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God did answer Paul’s prayer and He said, “No”. Does this mean that the apostle Paul, chosen by God, prayed the wrong prayer? According to Mr. Price, he did! But according to Paul, in verse 9, he seemed content with the answer.

Let’s look at another example. Jeremiah, one of God’s prophets, and who knew how to pray right, was told by God not to bother to pray for He would not hear Jeremiah’s words. In Jer. 7: 16, “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee.” And 11: 14, “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me because of their trouble.” God would not hear his prayers for the people of Israel. They were disobedient and turned their backs by worshipping idols and offer sacrifices to the other gods.

These two examples seem to go against Mr. Price’s belief of a wrong prayer. He wants everyone to believe that one’s prayer will be answered in a positive light if you pray the right prayer. And this means to the extent of changing your prayer numerous times until you get the desired result.

I suggest to you that although you pray the right prayer, sometimes God will say ‘No’ and sometimes He will say, ‘Not yet’.