Priscilla Shirer: 'I'm Thankful God Said 'No' to Some of My Biggest Prayers
An author and speaker who has appeared in hit faith-based films such as "War Room" says she’s thankful God answered some of her most passionate prayers with a “no,” because she realized only later that His wisdom spared her from heartache and disappointment.
Priscilla Shirer made the comments in a recent episode of the podcast Full Fledged, which she co-hosts with her husband, Jerry “JC” Shirer Jr.
“The older I get, the more I look back on things I was begging Him for – and I'm so grateful that He said no,” she said. “Because now I can see the way that would have impacted me now if He would have said yes to that then.”
But such a perspective doesn't have to be reserved for older adults, she said. Even a child, tween or teenager can begin to recognize God's faithfulness by looking back on earlier years of life. Seeing life through hindsight and the eyes of God is “one of the gifts age gives you,” she said, according to MovieGuide.
“You can look back at something at 10, you can look back at something at 20. And age, what it gives you is the gift of hindsight, where you can look back and finally get a little taste for – not everything, but some things – why the ‘no’ was the best gift He could have given you. Or the wait, the delay.
“He's a good Father.”
Shirer expanded on that message in an Instagram post.
“One day, you might look back and thank God for the prayer He said NO to,” she wrote. “What felt like disappointment, rejection, or a closed door may have actually been His protection. Sometimes we ask God for what we think we need, but He sees what we can’t. His ‘no’ doesn’t mean He isn’t listening, it means He knows the ending before we ever see the beginning.”
Shirer quoted Psalm 84:11: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield… no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
She added, “Trust the ‘no.’ Trust the delay. Trust the closed door. God knows what He’s doing.”
Shirer is an author and speaker who starred in a string of successful faith movies, including "War Room," "The Forge," "Overcomer" and "I Can Only Imagine."
Photo Credit: ©Instagram.com/priscillashirer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 05, 2026.
