Dave Havir reminds us that theologically speaking God is not required to answer “yes” to every prayer we ask, and that practically speaking, as a parent, it would be impractical and unwise to answer petitions that would ultimately harm His children. Because God is trustworthy and loves us, He will supply our personal needs, He will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able, and He anticipates what we desire before we even ask. God desires that we exercise perseverance in prayer, especially as we ask for the needs of someone else, and if it is according to God's will. As human fathers take care of their children's needs, God Almighty will take care of our needs and occasionally the desires of our hearts, even when they are not very carefully thought out. Some of these “desires” God will not grant us because they would be toxic to us. We have the priceless prerogative of reasoning and negotiating with our Heavenly Father. As human fathers extend mercy, God will even more so extend mercy to us. We must learn to talk with God, even kvetching to Him respectfully, casting all our cares on Him. Whether God answers our prayers affirmatively or not, He has always promised to be with us.

Bad things happen to good people * Bread * Cancer * Cellphones * Cheesecake * Degrees of faith * Desires * Entitlement attitude * Ephesians 3:12 * Exodus 32:10-14 * I Corinthians 10:13 * I Peter 5:7 * Genesis 18:23-33 * God not required to answer yes * God will supply all our needs * Heart's desire * Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-23; 13:5 * Joshua 1:5 * Justice * Life is not fair * Luke 11:1-12; 18:2-8 * Matthew 6:8-15 * Miracle * Model prayer * Moses * ‘Name it and claim it' mentality * Negotiating with God * Psalm 21:2; 145:15-16 * Reasoning with God * Relationship * II Corinthians 12:7-9 * Silly Putty * Silly requests * Slinky * Temptations * Thorn in the flesh * Way of escape