REASONS FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER
We need to discover what the Bible states as reasons for unanswered prayer.
As we meditate and call to mind various parts of Scripture which refer to our topic, we may find such texts as the following all of which indicate why prayer often remains unanswered:
Going through the Scripture references we find the following facts behind unanswered prayer. We deal with the factors which hinder the answer to our prayers.
- ASKING AMISS – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3), What pleasures? – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
- SIN IN THE HEART – “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear”. (Psalm 66:18) Iniquity in the heart is the reason for many unanswered prayers. The writer of the Psalm means, if I had seen iniquity in heart and encouraged it; if I pretended to be what I was not; and if I loved iniquity while I professed to pray and not be sorry for my sin, the Lord would not have heard me. I would have been left without His help and support in my time of trouble. “Beloved if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:21-22).
- DOUBTING GOD’S WORD – “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is double-minded man unstable in his way.” (James 1:6-7) Pray, doubting nothing: a) Pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.If you love me keep my commandments.” (John 14:12-15) b) By the Holy Spirit. “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Roman 8:26) c) With full understanding of rights and privileges. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) d) In harmony with the word. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7) e) In faith, doubting nothing. (James 1:6) f) With praise for answered prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
- VAIN REPETITION – “And when you pray, do not use vain repetition as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8
- DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD – “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9)The man who turns away from truth lest he should get to know, will not receive answer to prayer. There are many reasons, may be refusing to hear truth or to be humble, hardheartedness, wrong motives, parading prayer, unforgiveness, being discouraged, fear and anxiety.
- INCONSIDERATE BEHAVIOUR IN CONJUGAL RELATIONSHIPS. – “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7) Many prayers are hindered because of the unfaithfulness of husbands and wives. Be just and faithful to your wives as you want them to be to you. Give them no excuse for sin. “Submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the Church; and He is the Saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:21-23)
Sol.Gerard