When Prayers Don't Seem To Help

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Faith1960

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I posted something a couple months ago about prayers that seem to go unanswered. Since that time, my mother-in-law has become very ill and has been in critical condition for almost 2 weeks. She was given a 20% chance for survival and hasn’t improved, now isn’t expected to live.

My MIL has been prayed for by an enormous number of people, including those in my parish’s prayer chain but, it seems like all the praying hasn’t helped.

I realize that when one prays, God can say “yes,” “no” or “not right now,” but with the number of prayers I’ve prayed over the years, including for my MIL during her recent illness, it seems like my prayers don’t help. I really see no changes for those I love, when I pray.

Are there any posters here who have seen a favorable outcome after intese prayer when the odds were so much in favor of a poor outcome?
 
Why are you trying to keep your MIL away from Heaven?

Why is life here on earth the greatest thing, to be clutched at and held onto? Is life on earth better than life in Heaven?

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Perhaps pray that she offer up her sufferings for the conversion of sinners in the spirit of Colossians 1:24 - and that the holy angels surround her and comfort her - if she is not to recover.

Not my will but Thine be done - Christ’s words.
 
Faith1960,

God hears every single one of our prayers and answers them too. Sometimes it is not the answer we were hoping for…

A wise person once told me that when you pray, you don’t always get what you want, but you always get what you need.

Perhaps God has already answered your prayers? Perhaps it is in a different way than you expected? Maybe she was supposed to have passed on already but God is giving her and her family a little more time to say your good-byes and appreciate her company? Perhaps her suffering has been lessened to an extent that we will never know because only God would know?

Sometimes when we pray we expect an immediate response to our prayers, but we should consider God’s time. Most importantly, nothing happens without God’s consent, so we have to consider God’s Will in all of our prayers.
Perhaps everyone is praying for your MIL to get better (what we want), but instead everyone should be praying for God’s Will. And also pray for each other, to be strong through these difficult times.

If we pray for someone’s health and they pass away anyway, that does not mean that our prayers have not been answered. In addition, it might be their soul that needs more healing than their physical body.

God Bless.
 
Faith1960 said:
I posted something a couple months ago about prayers that seem to go unanswered. Since that time, my mother-in-law has become very ill and has been in critical condition for almost 2 weeks. She was given a 20% chance for survival and hasn’t improved, now isn’t expected to live.
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I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. may God’s grace be with you and your family during this time.
May I ask, is you r MIL catholic? Has she been fortified with the sacraments?
My MIL has been prayed for by an enormous number of people, including those in my parish’s prayer chain but, it seems like all the praying hasn’t helped.
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The question in all of this must be, what is being prayed for? Is it simply for a cure from disease? Is it for guidance, peace, and a commitment to accept the Will of God? Is it both?
Remember that Christ, in the Garden asked that the cup pass from Him, but then prayed, not for His will, but the Will of The Father. It may well be that it is God’s Will to call your MIL home at this time. While this is a sorrowful thing, it can also bring joy if our faith is properly placed on His Will and His Glory.
I realize that when one prays, God can say “yes,” “no” or “not right now,” but with the number of prayers I’ve prayed over the years, including for my MIL during her recent illness, it seems like my prayers don’t help. I really see no changes for those I love, when I pray.
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This indeed can be troubling, but please remember that answers might not always be apparent. They can take forms that are subtle and you may not even be aware of them. For instance, a person you pray for might have a lessening of pain, or a renewed sense of peace. Something that they never really mention to anyone.
A problem that you are praying over may be solved in a way different than that prayed for.
Are there any posters here who have seen a favorable outcome after intese prayer when the odds were so much in favor of a poor outcome?
Click to expand...
I’m not sure if this fits, but after years of praying for my Dear Wife’s cure from Alzheimers, I now recognize that, short of an outright miracle, God will take her sooner rather than later.
Instead of filling me with dread and a feeling of unanswered prayer, it has filled me (and her) with a great peace. Her illness, coupled with the intervention of my saintly Godfather, also brought us Home to the Church so that now, even though she cannot comprehend and rarely is able to receive communion, I know that she is wel fortified in the sacraments of the Church and her mental capacity renders her immune from mortal sin.
So yes there have been some pretty remarkable and positive outcomes from the prayers for my wife. Just not the kind that get wrote up in the “miracles” or “unexplained recovery” columns.

I do hope some of this helps you.

Peace
James
 
Update: my MIL passed away this morning. She lives a couple hours from here but my husband, his father, my MIL’s brother and his wife were all with her when she passed.
 
It is so painful to watch someone we love suffer and die. We don’t want to let go of the person. We pray as fervently as we know how, and yet God may not seem to hear and the answer we pray for just doesn’t come. Remember when Jesus prayed in the garden before His death. In His divinity He knew what lie ahead for Him, and yet as a human man He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not My will, but Thy will be done.” You cannot do more for your mother in law than to pray the same prayer on her behalf. It doesn’t mean you love her less or want less for her to live, or that you will somehow hasten death. It means that you know God loves her and has a plan for her, as He has for all His children, and that you trust Him.

I will pray for her and for you and your family.
 
JRKH said:
I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. may God’s grace be with you and your family during this time.
May I ask, is you r MIL catholic? Has she been fortified with the sacraments?

The question in all of this must be, what is being prayed for? Is it simply for a cure from disease? Is it for guidance, peace, and a commitment to accept the Will of God? Is it both?
Remember that Christ, in the Garden asked that the cup pass from Him, but then prayed, not for His will, but the Will of The Father. It may well be that it is God’s Will to call your MIL home at this time. While this is a sorrowful thing, it can also bring joy if our faith is properly placed on His Will and His Glory.

This indeed can be troubling, but please remember that answers might not always be apparent. They can take forms that are subtle and you may not even be aware of them. For instance, a person you pray for might have a lessening of pain, or a renewed sense of peace. Something that they never really mention to anyone.
A problem that you are praying over may be solved in a way different than that prayed for.

I’m not sure if this fits, but after years of praying for my Dear Wife’s cure from Alzheimers, I now recognize that, short of an outright miracle, God will take her sooner rather than later.
Instead of filling me with dread and a feeling of unanswered prayer, it has filled me (and her) with a great peace. Her illness, coupled with the intervention of my saintly Godfather, also brought us Home to the Church so that now, even though she cannot comprehend and rarely is able to receive communion, I know that she is wel fortified in the sacraments of the Church and her mental capacity renders her immune from mortal sin.
So yes there have been some pretty remarkable and positive outcomes from the prayers for my wife. Just not the kind that get wrote up in the “miracles” or “unexplained recovery” columns.

I do hope some of this helps you.

Peace
James
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Thanks James. No, my MIL isn’t Catholic, her and my FIL are Baptist.
I’m sorry to learn of your wife’s Alzheimers but you seem to have a wonderful attitude about the whole illness. May God bless you and your wife.
 
Faith, I had just posted when I saw your reply. God bless you all and comfort and console you.
 
Faith1960 said:
Update: my MIL passed away this morning. She lives a couple hours from here but my husband, his father, my MIL’s brother and his wife were all with her when she passed.
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Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace
Amen.

May God grant you courage and His peace during this stressful time.

Peace
James
 
My condolences, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless.
 
I am very sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
Faith1960 said:
I posted something a couple months ago about prayers that seem to go unanswered. Since that time, my mother-in-law has become very ill and has been in critical condition for almost 2 weeks. She was given a 20% chance for survival and hasn’t improved, now isn’t expected to live.

My MIL has been prayed for by an enormous number of people, including those in my parish’s prayer chain but, it seems like all the praying hasn’t helped.

I realize that when one prays, God can say “yes,” “no” or “not right now,” but with the number of prayers I’ve prayed over the years, including for my MIL during her recent illness, it seems like my prayers don’t help. I really see no changes for those I love, when I pray.

Are there any posters here who have seen a favorable outcome after intese prayer when the odds were so much in favor of a poor outcome?
Click to expand...
Prayers don’t necessarily give us what we want, but what is best for us. After all, God knows what is best for us. 🙂

Prayers for you, though…
 
Hi Sug,

Aww, I too am sorry your MIL passed away. My condolences.

Being human we want loved ones with us for as long as we live. That is understandable. But, God wanted His child to be with Him. God healed her of all of her suffering which is the greatest of all. One day it will be our turn and if we love God and are in pain, we would not want to be on earth to suffer. We would want to be free to be with Him, even though we will hate to leave our loved ones behind. Hard to understand but it’s the Circle of Life.

Love ya’ll

Sheila
 
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