Sometimes God does not seem to answer prayer, causing his people to doubt him. Scripture affirms God's faithfulness to those who pray according to his will, and points out that the human understanding of a situation is limited.
Examples of God's servants questioning his promises
Exodus 5:22–23 See also Genesis 15:2–3; Joshua 7:7–9
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”
Examples of God's servants questioning the tasks he has given them
Numbers 11:11–15 See also 1 Kings 19:4; Jeremiah 15:15–18, Jeremiah 20:7–9, Jeremiah 20:14–18; Jonah 4:1–3; Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1
So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now — if I have found favor in Your eyes — and let me not see my own wretchedness.”
Examples of God's servants expressing their anger and confusion in prayer
Job 10:2–22 See also Job 13:20–27, Job 14:1–22; Psalm 13:1–2, Psalm 42:9–10, Psalm 44:22–26, Psalm 77:7–9, Psalm 80:4–6, Psalm 88:6–9; Habakkuk 1:2–3
God's response to prayers of questioning or complaint
God reiterates his promises to those who question him
Genesis 15:2–5 See also Exodus 6:1–8
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
God provides help for those who question him
God rebukes those who question him
Job 40:1–9 See also Jeremiah 15:19–21
God explains events to those who question him
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.