我們看到禱告的回應往往不是我們心裡所渴望的。一位傳道人說：「向神祈求光的人，如果被光的炙熱燒焦的話，不能抱怨；同樣的，凡祈求神引導的人，如果神要他踏上他不想走的道路時，亦不應感到驚訝。」

霍姆斯（Oliver Wendell Holmes）說，當別人徵詢我們的意見時，總是希望得到我們的讚許，但是神卻不是這樣回應我們。如果我們祈求亮光，只要神知道那光不會將我們消滅，祂就會將我們所求的光賜給我們。請注意我是用「消滅」而不是「傷害」，因為神不會讓我們免受傷害，如果那是祂使我們成長的計劃裡面的一部分。

我們從這位年青、富有官員的這個故事裡面看到這個原則。他對耶穌說：「良善的夫子，我該作甚麼事，才可以承受永生？」耶穌說：「要變賣你一切所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」（18、22節）。那位年青人歡喜自己的財富，因為那是他生命中最重要的東西，但是主耶穌就是要他把財富放下。人生命中的首位應該是神的位置。那年青的官員得到的回答儘管不是他想要的，卻是他所需要的。路加記載說他「就甚憂愁」。他不錯是得到答案了，可是他並不肯接受這樣的答案。

We are seeing that the answer our prayers receive is not always the answer our hearts desire. One preacher has said: "He who asks God for light must not complain if the light scorches at times with its fierce and naked heat, and he who asks for guidance must not be surprised if God points him to paths he would rather not tread."

Oliver Wendell Holmes says that it is a rule which admits of few exceptions that when people ask for our opinion, they really want our praise. God will not deal with us like that. If we plead for light, then providing He sees that it will not devastate us, He will grant us the petition we ask. Note, I use the word "devastate" and not "hurt". God will not save us from getting hurt - if that pain is part of His purpose for making us better.

We see that principle illustrated in the story of the rich young ruler. He said to Jesus: "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said: "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (vv.18, 22). The young man delighted in his wealth. It was the most important thing in his life. That is why Jesus asked him to put it on one side. The first place in any person's life is God's place. The answer the rich young ruler got was not the one he wanted, but it was certainly what he needed. The account says that he "became very sad". He got his answer - but failed to receive it.