When God did not answer prayer...

A lot people including myself (until recently) expects God to answer our every prayer and when He doesn't..it's going to be a 'SAD story'...

Recently, I have learned otherwise. I have learned that when God doesn't answer our prayer, it was not because we were not praying hard enough. My colleague forwarded an email and part of it read as

"Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout. Have you ever wonder why the rear mirror is small while the windshield is huge? Because the past is not as important as the future. All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities! When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. WORRYING does not take away the troubles, it takes away today's PEACE"

This email came in time and enhance my spiritual knowledge especially the part where it reads as "When God doesn't answer your prayer, He has faith in your abilities". It has become clearer to me that not all prayers are answered and why.

I have been in the financial industry for almost 10 years now. I take delight in my work because I am able to assist others in owning their property. Although target was part of the KPI but importantly I must be accountable for my employer and the customers. As we know, money is rather a sensitive issue for most of us. In 08 which I have also shared in my blog that I received a rude shock right after my birthday. I received news that I will be summoned to court as the spouse of my customer took a legal action against us.

I read the summon over and over again. My name was repeatedly stated. I was angry because the statement given to the court was almost untrue! Apart from being angry, I was confused, sad and scared. I tried my best to recall the incident which took place 5-6 years ago. A lawyer was hired to represent us. We met and discuss the matter with our own legal assistants. To add salt into the wound, our own legal assistants did not have faith to win this case when I admitted that I did not translate the information on the insurance form entirely to the customer in cantonese. I was also disappointed in myself for failing to translate the entire form or at least refer the customer to a colleague who is fluent in chinese. This has then resulted a big mess and now I am wanted in court!

I kept recalling and think hard whether was there anything else I left out to safe me from this. But none. Then I asked "WHY ME?!" I didn't do any harm to anyone, I never dare to 'cheat' neither do I greed to get business. Why must this incident happened on me against hundreds of others who are also in the similar responsibility. Do everyone translate the entire form from english to chinese except me?! My heart was heavy and sad. I asked Lord to give me strength to overcome this challenge.

My heart was lifted a little when the lawyer commented "Look, I will try to negotiate for out of court settlement...and May Cy, you should not be to hard on yourself. Things like this do happen. I will do my best for you." I did not share this with many and especially not with my family. From that day onwards, I prayed that the case would be settled out of court and everyone will be happy with the outcome!

No news seems to be good news. Perhaps it has been setlled quietly. Then came a call 2 years later which was about a month plus ago. "Hi, May Cy, this is XX, from YY the law firm. Do you remember me?" Deep in my heart, I would like to reply, "No, I don't". Anyway, he told me to prepare to attend court in the next 3 weeks. I will be called as witness. I asked whether is there anyway or anything I can do to skip the court and compensate for my "mistake".

He replied, "Your mistake? What mistake? In my legal findings, I found not fault from you and that is why I want to fight this case." No fault from me? I certainly want the widow to be compensated, I replied. He assured that it will be a fair trial. A few hours later, I received another call from our own legal assistant. She commented that the lawyer must be very gungho to "fight" the case since chances are slim. My hope dashed again. In addition, she added on that she could not accompany me to court eventhough bosses would want someone else to be there. She asked me how? In my heart again, I was thinking that she must be joking! Since I get no morale support from her, her presence would not help at all. I just commented, "I will go myself. Do you think I have a choice?" Before our conversation ended, she said "OK a, you kow tim a?" Sigh...

3 weeks to go. I repeatedly pray for a miracle that the case would be settled out of court. 1 week to go, the lawyer called. Advised me to stay calm and we worked out our Q&A to be use in court. Amazingly this lawyer (is like an angel altho he is a heavy smoker) kept checking with me "May Cy, would you be comfortable if you give these answers to my questions?" I replied, "As long as it is the truth as I can remember, I am comfortable. Those items which I cannot recall, I do not want to say them in court because I am unsure. " XX commented, "Fair enough. But you should not feel guilty in anyway because you are not".

The day before the court proceeding, I am still hopeful for a miracle...but by 830am next morning I was sitting at the bench awaiting for the judge arrival. There were only 3 witnesses t be called. The 1st was the widow. What we watch in the movie on how the lawyers "drill" the witness are true. I heard my name repeatedly being blamed in the court by the widow and the prosecution lawyer. I thought to myself - I was being infamous that day for the wrong reason! I got nervous. My lawyer came to me during a break and told me to focus on the judge when I stand on the witness stand. Constantly he checked on me to ensure that I was ok.

The 1st witness took about 2 hours to finish her session. During the short break I sms my colleagues to pray for me. I need to stay calm and speak the truth - that will be my 2 main goals. When my turn came, I felt no trembling at all. I was full of confident...so full that at certain times, I question back those lawyers who wanted to "drill" me. Even the judge looked amazed when I corrected the prosecution lawyer's statement. My turn ended in less than 30 mins. I asked permission to leave. My lawyer commented, "Are you sure you do not want to stay till it ends?" I requested him to update myself when there is judgement made. I refused to stay and left. When I got into my car,I started trembling and thought how did I managed to be so calm and so full of energy until I could correct others. Was it not God who intervened?! I do not have other answer besides that His presence was with me.

After 2 weeks, I saw his name blinking in my handphone. I picked up. "May Cy, this is XX. I have great news! We have won!" I replied, "What? We won? means? the widow how?" "No worries, she will be compensated by 3rd party. It wasn't your responsibility to translate anything and the court finds NO FAULT with you"

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE BE TO GOD! AMEN! My tears well up and I could not thanked the Lord enough for such a great outcome and for the lawyer who believed in me and helped me through this...Now, lets' rewind a little. If my prayer to have outside court settlment, my name would not be 'cleared' at all...God did not answer that prayer of mine. Hallelujah! He put me through this challenge for 2-3 years and ensured that I come out of it victoriously! And He also remembered the widow...hallelujah...

This was really a test in my life to open my eyes and my heart that when He did not seem to answer, there is a strong reason behind...and He would never put us through a challenge that we would not be able to undertake cause He knows our abilities and He trust in our abilities. Ultimately, the world can be against you and it would not be a matter because when God is with you, you have the world! Keep on trusting Him and you won't go wrong....