Let this cup pass from me
6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
There is a prayer here, it's an implied prayer, we don't get to read it, we don't know exactly what moses prayed for, or how he asked. We do know what the people wanted; they wanted the snakes taken away. The snakes were biting them, they were dying, the most obvious thing to pray for here would be that the snakes be taken away. Surely that's what God would do when Moses asked, this is the Moses that talked directly to God.
8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
What do we do with this kind of an answer? This can't be what Moses had asked for. Wouldn't the easier solution have been to take away the snakes? If the snakes are gone, there are no bites, with the snake on the stick there are still bites, there are still people dying. How often does God answer us in this way. God has offered a solution to the real problem, people dying, they only have to look to Him. But I cannot imagine this was an immediately satisfying answer, we have to assume some disappointment, frustration, maybe even anger and self-pity.
This story of the snakes points us to another instance of "unanswered prayer" and Jesus himself makes the connection during one of his most famous conversations.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The evening prior to Him being lifted up Jesus spent in prayer, and this time we get to read the prayer, in fact we have a number of incredible prayers captured for us from this particular evening that Jesus spent in prayer. Here is the one though that might be the most challenging.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
"Let this cup pass" this was Jesus, the Son, praying to God the Father, "Let this cup pass." This was a very clear ask, coming from an exceedingly sorrowful heart. Again, the request seems the right one for the time, it would have addressed Jesus very real, very human, concern. Had the cup passed, we, today would have no hope, thank you LORD for this "unanswered prayer!"
Let's take one more example, another very real, very human example from the life of Paul the apostle of Christ.
7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
That's brutal, we don't know exactly what this "thorn in the flesh" was, but Paul, this incredible servant of God, prayed 3 times for the thorn to be removed. What I appreciate most about this example is that Paul describes Gods answer to this "unanswered prayer."
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
God answers our "unanswered prayers" in the case of the snakes, the cup and the thorn, the answers were not in accordance with the request. What might initially look like an "unanswered prayer" will, given time and faith, appear as the appropriately answered prayer that it always was. Praise the Lord for those "unanswered prayers!"