“MYSTERY” OF “UNANSWERED” PRAYER
But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? Psalm 88:13-14
I began thinking about this song on 1st March upon hearing that Pastor Percy Chisenga had passed away early that morning. Our prayer and desire as a family had been that God would completely heal and give with him the strength so he could get back and labour at the Zomba Mission station. This is what Mrs. Chisenga said they desired when we visited, 2 or so weeks before his death.
However, the humble question when he died was, “Does God give us our hearts’ desires and answer all our prayers (as He has promised)? The truth is that we normally always want a positive answer or favourable response! Well, the other truth is that God also gives negative answers, “NO not…” or plain “NO”! And humanly speaking we take it as though He has not answered. And my, my, we often even forget to say, “Yet not my/our will but yours be done”! May God have mercy on us for such spiritual unhealthiness especially where it is clear that a law in nature, like death is at work. Let us be biblical and spiritually mature lest we become like Pentecostal charismatics as Rev. Joe Simfukwe mentioned in his funeral sermon for Pastor Chisenga. I hope this hymn, as well as other “more powerful” ones, has some truth, comfort and encouragement that Scripture attests. I am sure some verses will easily come to your mind too. Be blessed and remember to bless others!
To the tune of "Spirit Divine attend our Prayers"
OURS TO HUMBLY MAKE THE PLEAS
MIXED WITH DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS
OUR FATHER KNOWING FEELS AND SEES
SOVEREIGNLY GIVES THE BEST!
HE SAYS OUR PLANS ARE NOT HIS PLANS
REVEALED HIS WILL IN SHARE
UNFOLDING PROVIDENCE EXPLAINS
WHAT SEEMS UNANSWERED PRAYER
WHAT GUSH OF GREAT RELIEF WE FEEL
AND VINDICATE HIS WISDOM REAL
TRUSTING OUR FATHER ALL THINGS KNOWS
OBEDIENCE IS HIS DUE!
EVEN IN THINGS THAT HURT US MORE
GOD WILL MAKE CLEAR ASHORE
OUR FAITH AND LOVE MADE TO OVERCOME
TRUE WORSHIP PROMPTS THE MORE!
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