Study Guide for Chapter 16: “Unanswered Prayer-Whose Fault?” and Chapter 17: “Unanswered Prayer-Living With The Mystery”. (in Prayer—Does It Make Any Difference?, by Philip Yancey)
These two chapters start a new section on “Prayer Dilemmas”. One dictionary defines “dilemma” as a “situation with unsatisfactory choices” or “a situation in which somebody must choose one of two or more unsatisfactory alternatives”.
We are thus forewarned that this will be a difficult section. We are not likely to finish it with the one thing we want—a clear, convincing, settled, and satisfactory doctrine of prayer.
Nevertheless, just as preparing a delicious meal also involves the chores of clearing the table and washing the dishes, there are some things we have to expect to do in order to complete the entire task. To get the whole picture, we can’t ignore this section.
Chapter 14: “Unanswered Prayer-Whose Fault?”
A verse to memorize: Mark 11:24 (NIV) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. and James 4:3 (NIV) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Book/Bible Study
1. It appears that for Yancey and others there is a problem with both unanswered prayers and with the inconsistency of how God answers prayers. Which is more troublesome to you?
2. What are some of the factors in unanswered prayers that may be “our fault”?
3. We’ve all heard “Be careful what you pray for, you may get it.” What can be some blessings of unanswered prayer?
4. Respond to the last paragraph on page 231.
Chapter 17: “Unanswered Prayer-Living With The Mystery”
1. List some aspects of your life today that make you predisposed to be less patient and less tolerant of having to wait.
2. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (made into a song by Pete Seeger and recorded by numerous artists in the 60’s and later) is this truth, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. How does this truth fit in with the concept of waiting?
3. Why might God answer our prayers differently from what we desire?
4. Look at Yancey’s conclusion on unanswered prayer in the last paragraph on page 247. Could this be a satisfactory answer for you?
C. Class Discussion
- How do you deal with the dilemma posed by a loving God inconsistently answering prayer?
- Your questions and comments
Extra: From a blogger who calls herself "The Anchoress" comes a link to this delightful piece on faith and prayer in the midst of pain.
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