“…do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb 6:12).
Graham Scroggie points out, using Mark 5 as illustrative, that sometimes our petition is answered but the desire denied; sometimes the desire is answered but the petition denied; and sometimes both petition and desire are answered, or denied.
The demons “begged” Jesus, wanting a safe haven in the swine. Jesus granted their petition but denied their desire, for “the herd…drowned in the sea.” Second, the Gadarene out of whom the demons were cast petitioned Jesus that he might be His follower. The man’s desire was granted, but his petition was denied. The will of the Master was that he follow by being a witness in his own community. Thirdly, a ruler of the synagogue begged Jesus to lay his hands on his daughter that she might be healed. Jesus both fulfilled his desire to heal her and answered his petition to come to her, though He could have healed her from a distance.