The Problem of Unanswered Prayer and Suffering in Christianity
Scripture records prayers that appear to go unanswered and suffering that persists without explanation. Jeremiah cries out, "Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me—water that is not there" [7]. The Psalms preserve similar laments: "O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee" [6], a plea that presupposes the possibility of divine silence. Lamentations asks pointedly, "Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?" [4]—a question that frames suffering as potentially deserved, yet still bewildering.
The Mystery of Prayer's Efficacy
Christian teaching affirms both God's sovereignty and the real efficacy of prayer, yet Scripture "does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer" [2]. The difficulty arises from the tension between belief in unalterable general laws and the conviction that prayer genuinely moves God to act [2]. Prayer is defined as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [1], which presupposes God's willingness to respond. Yet answers come "sometimes after delay" and "sometimes differently from our desire" [5], as when Paul's plea for relief was met not with removal of his thorn but with the promise, "My grace is sufficient for you" [5].
Suffering as Expected Reality
The New Testament does not treat suffering as anomalous. "All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer" [3], a statement that normalizes persecution and hardship as the Christian's portion. Christ himself "suffered" and "was patient under" persecution [3], establishing a pattern his followers must expect to replicate. Peter's epistle repeatedly addresses believers "as sufferers," indicating that "the greatest danger these new converts were in arose from the persecutions to which their embracing Christianity exposed them" [10]. The tradition holds that Christ's suffering "was a true and proper punishment" for human sin [9], a substitutionary framework that explains his pain but leaves the believer's own suffering less systematically resolved.
The Conditional Nature of Answered Prayer
Scripture attaches conditions to the promise of answered prayer. God hears those who "seek God with all the heart" and "wait upon God" [5]. Conversely, "if God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him" [8]. This creates a pastoral tension: unanswered prayer may signal either divine timing, a different answer than desired, or the petitioner's own spiritual state blocking communion with God.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- Lamentations “Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? -- Lamentations 3:39”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
- Psalms “Psalms 102:1 (Geneva1599) — A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord. O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee.”
- Jeremiah “Jeremiah 15:18 (BSB) — Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:9: Note, 1. It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace. How reverent and serious should we be, whenever we are hearing from and speaking to the Lord of glory! 2. If God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him, not only our sacrifices, which were ceremonial appointments, but even our prayers, which are moral duties, and wh”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3:18: Here, I. The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though he had no guilt of his own and could have declined all suffering if he had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expia”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 4:12: The frequent repetition of counsel and comfort to Christians, considered as sufferers, in every chapter of this epistle, shows that the greatest danger these new converts were in arose from the persecutions to which their embracing Christianity exposed them. The good behaviour of Christians under sufferings is the most difficult part of their duty, but yet necessary both for the honour of Christ and their own comfort; and therefore the apostle, having extorted them in the former part of this chapter to the great duty of mortification, comes here to direct them in”