If you haven’t ever wondered why God didn’t answer your prayer, it’s because you haven’t prayed much.  So what can you do when God doesn’t come through for you?

First, reject the idea that God doesn’t care about you.  After all, David, described as a man after God’s own heart, wrestled with unanswered prayer more than most.  Consider his comments:

“Why do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”  (Ps. 10:1)

“How long, Lord?  Will you forget me forever?” (Ps. 13:1)

“My God, why have you forsaken me…I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night but I find not rest.” (Ps 22:1-2)

“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.” (Ps. 55:1-2)

“O God, why have you rejected us forever…?” (Ps. 74:1)

“O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.”  (Ps 83:1)

Second, take a page from the playbook of the earliest Christians.  When their prayers for protection and provision were NOT answered, and they ended up beaten and sitting in a jail cell, Paul and Silas had an interesting strategy.  Pray.  And sing.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Acts 16:25

In other words, when your prayers aren’t answered the way you’d like, keep praying.  And sing.  Not just to make noise, but to remind yourself, and anyone else, that God is still on his throne, that he’s still worth praising, and that he’s still present in the midst of whatever situation you’re in.  It was this strategy that resulted in their being busted out of their prison.

And if your boss gives you a hard time about singing in your cubicle, you can blame it on me.  Or Paul and Silas.

-Pastor Mark