It's been said many times that God answers all of our prayers, but sometimes the answer is "no." We've all been there, I expect.

When a relationship is in trouble, we pray for it to be fixed. When we lose a job, we pray for a new one. When a loved one is ill, we pray for healing. It is usually disappointing when the outcome is not what we wanted.

I remember when I was unemployed I prayed fervently for a new job. I applied for dozens of positions. The answer seemed to always be "no." What did I do? Prayed more. Applied for more jobs. I didn't take no for an answer.

In today's Gospel reading, something different happens. Thomas declares that he won't believe in the risen Christ "unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side." Thomas makes a very specific request.

And guess what? He gets what he asked for. "Jesus said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.'"

Sometimes we do get what we pray for, of course. After Thomas professes his faith in Christ, Jesus asks, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

It's very hard for me to believe in God when I don't see what I want. I mean, I have a hard time having faith when I can't find a job; what about the presence of so much hunger, sickness, hatred and war?

God never promises to give us everything we ask for. God is not a genie in a bottle who is obligated to grant all of our wishes. This can be very painful at times, at least for me. Sometimes I just want relief from fear and anxiety over an issue in a relationship, or a financial problem that seems to threaten my family, or the illness of a loved one. It doesn't seem like too much to ask. Perhaps the answer is there, but I can't see it because I am looking somewhere else.

Of course, I also need to pay attention to what I can see. I need to be thankful for the good things God has brought into my life. Right now I do have a job, I have a wonderful family, good friends and more. Instead of focusing on what I can't see, I need to remember how God has been good to me.

Blessed are those who have not seen and believe. We need to keep believing even when we don't see what we want to see. It doesn't mean that God isn't there. It may just mean that we need to look a little harder.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.