Chapter 76

Prayer Never Goes to Waste

Prayer never goes to waste, whether the Lord grants the petition or not. Out of ignorance we often ask for what is unhelpful and harmful. By not granting it, God gives something else for the labor of prayer, unnoticed by us. That is why the saying, “See how you pray to God, and what did you get?”—is senseless. The one praying asks good for himself, pointing to it. Seeing that what is asked will not lead to his good, God does not grant the petition and thereby does good: for if He granted it, it would be bad for the petitioner.

Take heed how carefully you walk (See: Eph. 5:15) in the midst of this evil age!

(Letter 1406. Vol. 8, p. 146)