我们看到祷告的回应往往不是我们心里所渴望的。一位传道人说：「向神祈求光的人，如果被光的炙热烧焦的话，不能抱怨；同样的，凡祈求神引导的人，如果神要他踏上他不想走的道路时，亦不应感到惊讶。」

霍姆斯（Oliver Wendell Holmes）说，当别人征询我们的意见时，总是希望得到我们的赞许，但是神却不是这样回应我们。如果我们祈求亮光，只要神知道那光不会将我们消灭，祂就会将我们所求的光赐给我们。请注意我是用「消灭」而不是「伤害」，因为神不会让我们免受伤害，如果那是祂使我们成长的计划里面的一部分。

我们从这位年青、富有官员的这个故事里面看到这个原则。他对耶稣说：「良善的夫子，我该作甚么事，才可以承受永生？」耶稣说：「要变卖你一切所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」（18、22节）。那位年青人欢喜自己的财富，因为那是他生命中最重要的东西，但是主耶稣就是要他把财富放下。人生命中的首位应该是神的位置。那年青的官员得到的回答尽管不是他想要的，却是他所需要的。路加记载说他「就甚忧愁」。他不错是得到答案了，可是他并不肯接受这样的答案。

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.