“Unanswered Prayers” Garth Brooks

According to several commentaries about this famous Garth Brooks song, it really does reflect Garth’s belief that God may not answer our prayers, because He has a better plan for our lives! Wow, as I look back on my life I agree that God’s plan is always the very best for us, however I do have to disagree with the premise that God doesn’t answer prayer. I know from scripture and personal experience He does! In fact one reference I use says there are 27 Bible Verses about God answering prayer but probably the most relevant is Matthew 7:7. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” However, the answer isn’t always the answer we want. In many cases in my life the answer has been NO (prayers that were outside of His perfect will for my life) and in many other cases, the answer has been “not now”! Not only is God’s knowledge of us and our needs beyond our understanding His timing is also perfect.

In his notes about this 1994 song, Garth said, “Every time I sing this song it teaches me the same lesson. Happiness isn’t about getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” This lesson on faith and contentment is often a difficult one to communicate to impetuous impatient youth, but Abraham and Sarah’s wait for a child found in Genesis 11: 30-25:18 and Moses’ 40 year tenure as a shepherd found in Exodus 2:17-7:7 are great conversation starters. Also, they can be real reminders to we adults, as we too may have trouble with NO and WAIT! ”

https://youtu.be/xBwSZ3jLx28?t=11