Why?
When Prayers Go Unanswered, 15 March 2026
15 03 26
When Prayers Go Unanswered
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Why?
March 15, 2026
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Series Big Idea: It’s natural to ask God, “Why?” but He’s up to something.
Series Scripture: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Big Idea: God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Why? It might be my favorite question. I’m a very curious person. I like to understand how things work, what goes on behind the scenes, where things originated. Asking, “Why?” can be a path toward comprehension and even appreciation. Simon Sinek wrote a great book entitled Start with Why. The question can also be a provocative challenge.
Today we begin a new series entitled, “Why?” It’s a question we’ve all asked God…even if we say we don’t believe in God!
Why did the child die?
Why am I unable to break this addiction?
Why is there evil in the world?
Why can’t I find a job…a spouse…relief for my pain?
Listen to these prayers.
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)
Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. (Psalm 44:23)
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions! (Psalm 58:6)
If only you, God, would slay the wicked! (Psalm 139:19a)
Do you hear the passion? Can you sense the honesty. The audacity! It’s messy, but genuine.
Each of those prayers come from King David in the Psalms. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything but authentically pours out his heart to God…and we can, too.
You can be real with God. He can handle anything you throw His way…fear, doubt, anger, worry, praise, confession, petitions…
You can even ask, “Why?” though I have an even better question I’ll share later.
What happens when our prayers go unanswered?
Can you relate? If God is good, if God loves me, if God is in control, then why…?
I know the feeling. We all know the feeling. Some have even used what they thought was God ghosting them—doing nothing—as reason to reject God. If God won’t meet my demands, maybe I need to find a new god!
I want to encourage you today. I want to offer hope—real hope. God is good and He does love you and He is in control…and because of that, He knows how to best respond to our prayers.
God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
He responds with yes, no, or wait. The challenge is we don’t always get instant feedback on our petitions. If you pray for a sick friend, it would be nice if God said, “They will be healed, but it will take two surgeries and six months before they are fully healed.” At least you would have realistic expectations, though you would surely prefer a miraculous instant healing instead!
This begs the question, “Why doesn’t He just say ‘yes’ to all of my requests?” I don’t mean to make light of your struggles, but I think it’s the same reason I didn’t say ‘yes’ to my kids when they wanted a big bowl of ice cream at bedtime. Daddy knows best. He can be trusted. He really is good, He really does answer our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Few people understood this better than Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament of the Bible. In his letter to a European church, he wrote about an encounter with God.
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (2 Corinthians 12:7b)
What was this thorn? We don’t know. There are a few theories. It could’ve been…
- A physical issue such as chronic pain, malaria, epilepsy, or an eye disease (10:10)
- Opposition from false teachers and critics (11:1-5)
- Spiritual oppression or unrelenting temptation (1 Thess. 2:18)
- Depression, discouragement, or some other mental illness (2:4)
We don’t know, but what is clear is it had a purpose…to keep Paul humble. The Bible is filled with stories of people tested. I doubt any understood or welcomed these experiences…at the time.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. (2 Corinthians 12:8)
In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow who keeps bothering a judge, seeking justice. The moral of the story is we should always pray and not give up. Are we supposed to annoy God with our constant prayers? Not exactly, but the message seems to be persevere. God’s not deaf, but He loves to hear your voice. In Paul’s case, God replied after the third time.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
I don’t think this was the response Paul wanted. Three times Paul said, “Take it away” and God said, “No.” The Greek word for grace here, charis, denotes Christ’s power to strengthen and endure hardship.
God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it. He says, “Yes, no, or wait.” Paul was blessed with a specific reply and explanation from God, but usually we hear nothing. We see nothing. We experience nothing…and wonder if God is there.
He is! Listen to Jesus’ last words in the book of Matthew:
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
King David asked,
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7)
He is here. I promise! He said He would never leave or forsake us.
Back to Paul, God says no to removing this thorn in Paul’s life, leaving him with this weakness to show God’s power. Paul continues,
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9b)
People love to talk about themselves, post their accomplishments online, show the world their highlight reels, and seek approval from others. Paul was humbled by this thorn, this trial, this test. It served a purpose…Paul’s good and God’s glory.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Does Paul sound like a crazy man, delighting in weakness, insults, hardship, persecutions, difficulties? He would be if it wasn’t for the short phrase, “For Christ’s sake.” Jesus taught us to pray, “Lord, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”
Nobody knows pain and suffering like Jesus. He was facing the cup of death, of crucifixion and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
He said, “Father, this is my will…but yours be done.” This is what Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane…three times (like Paul). Can you say that? Can you pray that? It takes faith and trust in our good, good Father. Job said,
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21b)
So What?
There are many things I don’t understand about God. I have asked Him “why?” more times than I can count. Some prayers required waiting nearly a decade for visible action. There are, however, some things I do understand.
1. God loves us. He proved it.
2. God is with us. He sees us. The Holy Spirit lives inside believers.
3. God answers our prayers. Always. Not always on-demand with a yes.
4. We don’t always need to understand why.
5. It’s helpful to ask, “What are you up to, LORD?”
6. God is working through the waiting. Don’t give up.
7. Seek first His will and Kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer.
8. Jesus understands pain and grief and loss and suffering and betrayal and…
9. This life is preparation for the next one…which will last much longer!
10. We would love to pray with you and for you…at the conclusion of the service or even online (e-mail me)
I want to close with the scripture that summarizes today and the weeks to come in this series.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Do you love God? He loves you. He wants the very best for you. And He always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it. The best is yet to come. It will be worth the wait.
Bonus Content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDvcEkjthA
In season 3 of the TV show The Chosen, one of Jesus’ disciples remains unhealed after years of prayer and he asks…why? Although not exactly a biblical quote, Jesus says in the episode,
“In the Father’s will, I could heal you right now, and you’d have a good story to tell…but there are already dozens who can tell that story…but to show people that you are patient with your suffering here on earth because you know you’ll spend eternity with no suffering, not everyone can understand that. How many people do you think the Father and trust this with? Not many…Remember, you will be healed. It’s only a matter of time.”
Reflection Questions
What are my expectations of God?
When has He answered my prayers?
Who can you prayer for and support?
Are you willing to ask for help? Prayer?
Can you think of a time when God revealed the purpose of a trial to you?
If He never says yes to your prayer, is He enough?
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Why?
March 15, 2026
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Series Big Idea: It’s natural to ask God, “Why?” but He’s up to something.
Series Scripture: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Big Idea: God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Why? It might be my favorite question. I’m a very curious person. I like to understand how things work, what goes on behind the scenes, where things originated. Asking, “Why?” can be a path toward comprehension and even appreciation. Simon Sinek wrote a great book entitled Start with Why. The question can also be a provocative challenge.
Today we begin a new series entitled, “Why?” It’s a question we’ve all asked God…even if we say we don’t believe in God!
Why did the child die?
Why am I unable to break this addiction?
Why is there evil in the world?
Why can’t I find a job…a spouse…relief for my pain?
Listen to these prayers.
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)
Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. (Psalm 44:23)
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions! (Psalm 58:6)
If only you, God, would slay the wicked! (Psalm 139:19a)
Do you hear the passion? Can you sense the honesty. The audacity! It’s messy, but genuine.
Each of those prayers come from King David in the Psalms. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything but authentically pours out his heart to God…and we can, too.
You can be real with God. He can handle anything you throw His way…fear, doubt, anger, worry, praise, confession, petitions…
You can even ask, “Why?” though I have an even better question I’ll share later.
What happens when our prayers go unanswered?
Can you relate? If God is good, if God loves me, if God is in control, then why…?
I know the feeling. We all know the feeling. Some have even used what they thought was God ghosting them—doing nothing—as reason to reject God. If God won’t meet my demands, maybe I need to find a new god!
I want to encourage you today. I want to offer hope—real hope. God is good and He does love you and He is in control…and because of that, He knows how to best respond to our prayers.
God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
He responds with yes, no, or wait. The challenge is we don’t always get instant feedback on our petitions. If you pray for a sick friend, it would be nice if God said, “They will be healed, but it will take two surgeries and six months before they are fully healed.” At least you would have realistic expectations, though you would surely prefer a miraculous instant healing instead!
This begs the question, “Why doesn’t He just say ‘yes’ to all of my requests?” I don’t mean to make light of your struggles, but I think it’s the same reason I didn’t say ‘yes’ to my kids when they wanted a big bowl of ice cream at bedtime. Daddy knows best. He can be trusted. He really is good, He really does answer our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Few people understood this better than Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament of the Bible. In his letter to a European church, he wrote about an encounter with God.
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (2 Corinthians 12:7b)
What was this thorn? We don’t know. There are a few theories. It could’ve been…
- A physical issue such as chronic pain, malaria, epilepsy, or an eye disease (10:10)
- Opposition from false teachers and critics (11:1-5)
- Spiritual oppression or unrelenting temptation (1 Thess. 2:18)
- Depression, discouragement, or some other mental illness (2:4)
We don’t know, but what is clear is it had a purpose…to keep Paul humble. The Bible is filled with stories of people tested. I doubt any understood or welcomed these experiences…at the time.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. (2 Corinthians 12:8)
In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow who keeps bothering a judge, seeking justice. The moral of the story is we should always pray and not give up. Are we supposed to annoy God with our constant prayers? Not exactly, but the message seems to be persevere. God’s not deaf, but He loves to hear your voice. In Paul’s case, God replied after the third time.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
I don’t think this was the response Paul wanted. Three times Paul said, “Take it away” and God said, “No.” The Greek word for grace here, charis, denotes Christ’s power to strengthen and endure hardship.
God always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it. He says, “Yes, no, or wait.” Paul was blessed with a specific reply and explanation from God, but usually we hear nothing. We see nothing. We experience nothing…and wonder if God is there.
He is! Listen to Jesus’ last words in the book of Matthew:
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
King David asked,
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7)
He is here. I promise! He said He would never leave or forsake us.
Back to Paul, God says no to removing this thorn in Paul’s life, leaving him with this weakness to show God’s power. Paul continues,
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9b)
People love to talk about themselves, post their accomplishments online, show the world their highlight reels, and seek approval from others. Paul was humbled by this thorn, this trial, this test. It served a purpose…Paul’s good and God’s glory.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Does Paul sound like a crazy man, delighting in weakness, insults, hardship, persecutions, difficulties? He would be if it wasn’t for the short phrase, “For Christ’s sake.” Jesus taught us to pray, “Lord, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”
Nobody knows pain and suffering like Jesus. He was facing the cup of death, of crucifixion and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
He said, “Father, this is my will…but yours be done.” This is what Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane…three times (like Paul). Can you say that? Can you pray that? It takes faith and trust in our good, good Father. Job said,
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21b)
So What?
There are many things I don’t understand about God. I have asked Him “why?” more times than I can count. Some prayers required waiting nearly a decade for visible action. There are, however, some things I do understand.
1. God loves us. He proved it.
2. God is with us. He sees us. The Holy Spirit lives inside believers.
3. God answers our prayers. Always. Not always on-demand with a yes.
4. We don’t always need to understand why.
5. It’s helpful to ask, “What are you up to, LORD?”
6. God is working through the waiting. Don’t give up.
7. Seek first His will and Kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer.
8. Jesus understands pain and grief and loss and suffering and betrayal and…
9. This life is preparation for the next one…which will last much longer!
10. We would love to pray with you and for you…at the conclusion of the service or even online (e-mail me)
I want to close with the scripture that summarizes today and the weeks to come in this series.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Do you love God? He loves you. He wants the very best for you. And He always answers our prayers, even when it doesn’t feel like it. The best is yet to come. It will be worth the wait.
Bonus Content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDvcEkjthA
In season 3 of the TV show The Chosen, one of Jesus’ disciples remains unhealed after years of prayer and he asks…why? Although not exactly a biblical quote, Jesus says in the episode,
“In the Father’s will, I could heal you right now, and you’d have a good story to tell…but there are already dozens who can tell that story…but to show people that you are patient with your suffering here on earth because you know you’ll spend eternity with no suffering, not everyone can understand that. How many people do you think the Father and trust this with? Not many…Remember, you will be healed. It’s only a matter of time.”
Reflection Questions
What are my expectations of God?
When has He answered my prayers?
Who can you prayer for and support?
Are you willing to ask for help? Prayer?
Can you think of a time when God revealed the purpose of a trial to you?
If He never says yes to your prayer, is He enough?