Unanswered Prayer

This week should be an exciting week in chapel here at DTS.  Dr. Erwin Lutzer is speaking each day for the Nathan D. Maier Memorial Series in Bible Exposition.  Dr. Lutzer is the senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and this week his message series here is title "The Triupmh of Unanswered Prayer."

Initially I automatically say to myself that there is no such thing as unanswered prayer.  God either says yes, no, or wait, at least that is what I have always heard.  But today I just wanted to post a few things that Dr. Lutzer said that really stuck out to me. 

Preaching from Hebrews 11, Dr. Lutzer pointed out that in order for us to be faithful and pleasing to God, we must believe the future promises that God has made to us.  If we do not believe the future or that there is a real future coming, then how can we be faithful to God? 

Another point is that Abraham died in faith, not receiving all that God had promised him.  This speaks to the fact that there are future promises and rewards from God, and it also speaks against the name it and claim ideology that is becoming very prevalent on television.  As Dr. Lutzer pointed out, there are times where God does not answer prayers and you simply have to endure.  Some of the things that God has promised us may not come to fruition here on earth.  Some promises will not come until after death.  One last point on this is that when God does not answer our prayer, and we go through a time where we must endure, if God does not do what we think He should do, we must go on believing.

Lastly, going back to the name it and claim it, word of faith etc...televangelist ministries, Dr. Lutzer made this comment that is humorous and sad at the same time.  He said something to the effect of, "Isn't it too bad that some of God's sheep can't tell the difference between grass and astroturf?"  

Again, these are just some of the many excellent points that Dr. Lutzer made.  I hope to be able to post a few points from each chapel service this week, as this will no doubt be an excellent lecture series.  Let me know what you think.