Do you have an unanswered prayer? Not just a small, daily request, but a major heartbreaking, soul-wrenching, tear-soaking prayer that God has not answered? As a result, do you wonder: Does God really love me? Has He heard me? Does He care? If He cares, is He unable to answer? Have I done something to displease Him? Why? Why doesn’t God answer my prayer? Have you been tempted to just stop praying since He doesn’t seem to be answering anyway?
In John 11, we gain insight into unanswered prayer and how it teaches us to trust Him when we just don’t understand …
Read John 11:1-44
I. UNANSWERED PRAYER DEVELOPS OUR FAITH John 11:1-27
A. FOR THIS WE NEED JESUS 11:1-16
From verses 1-3, describe the family in Bethany and the crisis that arose.
In verses 1-5, what attitude of Jesus toward this family is specifically stated twice, and implied throughout the passage? Give the phrases.
Who or what is your Lazarus?
From verse 3, put into your own words Mary and Martha’s implied prayer.
How did Jesus answer? What did He do?
After prayer, did Mary and Martha’s situation improve?
For what do you need Jesus? How long has He delayed answering your prayer?
B. FOR THIS WE HAVE JESUS 11:17-27
According to verses 17-20, what did Martha have in the midst of her suffering that the three Hebrew young men had in the midst of theirs, from Daniel 3:19-25?
Relate this to God’s promise to you and me from Isaiah 43:1-4; Psalm 23:4-5.
How did Martha greet Jesus in verse 21? Put it into your own words.
What have been some of your “if onlys”?
According to verse 23, what else did Martha have on which she could base her faith in the midst of her suffering?
What promise has God given you in the midst of your suffering? Has your faith been based on “I hope so” or “He says so”?
In verses 25-26, to what and to whom did Jesus direct Martha’s attention?
Do you think Martha would have become this focused if she had not been desperate? How does this help answer “Why?”
II. UNANSWERED PRAYER DISPLAYS HIS GLORY John 11:28-44
A. THE GLORY OF HIS LOVE 11:28-38
While similar, what is the difference between Martha’s greeting of Jesus in verses 21-22 and Mary’s greeting in verse 32? Put it into your own words.
How did Jesus respond in verses 33-35?
When have you invited Jesus to “Come and see” your pain, your helplessness, hopelessness or your despair?
Knowing He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead within moments, why do you think Jesus wept? See Isaiah 63:9; Hebrews 4:15; Psalm 56:8.
How does this comfort you as you wait for Him to answer your prayer?
B. THE GLORY OF HIS LORDSHIP 11:39-41
What command did Jesus give Martha in verse 39?
Why was obedience to this command unthinkable to Martha?
What stone is God commanding you to remove that is keeping your “Lazarus” buried? … an unforgiving spirit? … anger? … pride? _______. Fill in the blank.
What was Martha’s response to His command?
When Jesus seeks to do a miracle in the life of your loved one, what argument have you raised about His methods? His timing?
What blessing have you delayed because you are still arguing?
What was Jesus’ challenge to Martha in verse 40? Put it into your own words. Relate this to James 2:26; John 5:8-9; 9:7; Mark 3:5.
What reason to obey did Jesus give Martha in verse 40?
What reason do you need before you obey?
C. THE GLORY OF HIS LIFE-GIVING POWER 11:41-44
Why did Jesus pray publicly before calling Lazarus forth from the tomb? Verses 41-42.
When had that same voice been heard before? Compare Genesis 1:3 with John 1:1; Luke 8:24-25, 49-55; Matthew 8:28-32.
What was the response to His voice in verses 43-44?
If Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead, what do you think He can’t do for you or your loved one?
If He has not answered your prayer, why hasn’t He? Based on your brief study of John 11:1-44, write out your answer.
Remember … Keep your focus on the big picture and the ultimate goal—to live by faith in Jesus alone that you and I might display His glory to an increasingly skeptical, cynical, hostile world! Trust Him when you don’t understand and nothing makes sense. Trust Him! Just trust Him! ©2025 BGEA
This article was adapted from a study that was originally published in June 2004.
Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.