Unanswered Prayers

As we reflect on the close of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, many of us carry a lingering question:

Why were some of our prayers not answered?

Scripture reminds us that unanswered prayers do not mean unheard prayers.

In Mark 5:21–24, Jairus approached Jesus in faith, believing his daughter could be healed because of what he had heard about Jesus. His faith was rooted in testimony. Yet, even with that faith, Jesus did not respond immediately. Along the way, a woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years reached out to Jesus, believing that even touching His garment would heal her—and it did. Jesus stopped, listened, and responded.

This teaches us several important truths about prayer:

1) Faith matters.

We are called to pray believing that God is able and willing to answer. Fear and doubt should not keep us from praying; faith should move us toward God.

2) God hears us.

Just as Jesus stopped for the woman in the crowd, God listens to our cries, even when it seems like nothing is happening.

3) God’s timing is perfect.

Jairus may have wondered why Jesus delayed, but Jesus ultimately told him to believe—and then raised his daughter to life. God sees the full picture, not just the moment we are living in. What feels like delay is often divine purpose at work.

Unanswered prayers do not mean God is absent. If it is God’s will, He will answer—sometimes in ways and at times we do not expect. Our call is to keep praying, keep believing, and never give up.

As we step into 2026, we are reminded that even if God does not answer our prayers the way we desire, our salvation is enough. God owes us nothing, yet He gave us everything through Jesus Christ. That truth gives us hope, trust, and confidence to keep walking forward in faith.