I would like to share something that I just read in a book I picked up a few weeks back titled "can it be true? a personal pilgrimage through faith and doubt" by Michael Wakely.
Wakely uses the story of Lazerus to help explain the mystery of unanswered prayer:
"I find the story of Lazarus' death very helpful. Lazarus was ill - very ill, and his sisters set for Jesus, knowing that he, the miracle-worker, could heal their brother. John is very non-chalant in the way he tells the story. 'Jesus loved Martha and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.' That comes across as an insult. Though he loved them so much, he did nothing at all to help them in their hour of need. He waited till he was sure that Lazarus was beyond healing - and then he went.
Is it any surprise that both sisters were angry with him when he finally arrived? They complained, 'Lord...if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' Their implication is: 'Where were you? You weren't here when you were needed. Why didn't you come more quickly? You were too slow and now you are too late.'
What great lessons there are in this story for those whose prayers do not get answered! First, of course, Jesus wanted to demonstrate a resurrection - not a mere healing. Secondly, his goal was far greater than just to meet their needs with compassion. He wanted to strengthen their faith with a lesson they would never forget. God moves in a different realm of understanding, and he is never too late. But very often his ways are hidden from us, an this leads us to conclude that he has failed. Finally, of course his motive is usually very different from ours, and part of the purpose of prayer is to give us the mind of Christ. Jesus' foremost desire was the reputation of his Father, not the health of Lazarus. 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' he said to the frustrated Martha, moments before her dead brother returned to life."
I hope you find this as enlightening as I did!
