It would be a lot easier to accept a negative answer from God if Jesus hadnt insisted on telling us about moving mulberry trees and mountains and receiving whatsoever one asks. But he did say all that, and when we dont get what we ask for, it leaves us feeling a little confused. We start to wonder why Jesus said it at all.

The easiest cop-out for this is to say that your prayers arent answered because you dont have the faith of a mustard seed. Remember? There were conditions we dont quite understand. Reallydoes anyone know how much faith a mustard seed has?

And then, of course, theres the explanation that really has us scratching our heads. God only gives us whats good for us. So if the answer is no, then its for our own good. Its hard to see how moving a mountain is good for anyonebut that was the example that Jesus used. Besides, He never mentioned any such conditions. He just told us (over and over again) that God would give what we ask for. And few of us can understand why it was for St Pauls own good that he had the afflictions he writes about. Yet God wouldnt take them away. Why?

Well, my cop-out isnt much better, but here it goes.

The next time you pray, stop and think about what you really want. If, for example, you decide a mountain is blocking your passage into the next valley, your real desire is not to remove the mountain. Rather, it is to remove the obstacle the mountain gives. So while you solemnly pace at the foot of the mountain, praying for its removal, take time to notice the gaping hole. It was there that God once let rivers pass through, and there youll discover the answer to your prayers. Though the tunnel be dark and sinister, it does remove the mountain in a very personal and subtle way.

In a more identifiable scenario, Joe Schmoe (a landscaper for 23 years) suffers from unbearable back pains. He prays for relief but finds none. He loses his job and maybe even his house. He relies on the charity of others and a government check to survive. It really appears that his prayers arent answered. But when he finds a hidden talent in landscape design and finds work with a national construction company, his back problems no longer disable his life.

Now lets look at something more complicated. Mary Martin has a four year old boy with a terminal illness. She prays and prays for his cure, but still looses her son. We could find all sorts of happy endings if this was a novel, but it wouldnt help console a grieving mother in like circumstances. But in this situation, we have to remember two things:

1. Her son was cured from all worldly diseases. He now enjoys perfect health with our Father in heaven.
2. The mother is now forced into a new reality. One where she faces the fact that all human relationships are temporary. She must now accept the certainty of death, and let go of her attachment. Its a harsh lesson, but it is the tunnel through the mountain. Like it or not, its the answer to her prayer.

These scenarios all have one thing in common- Gods answer relies on the faith of those praying. It relies on their willingness to follow His divine plan. The traveler must venture into the dark tunnel, believing in his ignorance and Gods direction. The landscaper must explore new employment alternatives. The mother must decide to move on.