Important Notice:
Always check out what you read and hear for yourself, using the Bible, asking our HEAVENLY FATHER for wisdom, guidance, and understanding. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website, without first doing your own homework. As Christians, we should be listening to GOD's WORD, not what someone else has to say if it can't be documented. As it's written in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Please note, the yellow text within our studies is Scripture, whereas the white text is our commentary.
Unanswered Prayers
When it comes to unanswered prayers, it seems one of the first things some people do is give up on GOD, especially when it deals with losing a loved one or witnessing a tragic situation, when nothing could be worse. Think about everything Job, Stephen, Paul, John the Baptist, and even JESUS/EMMANUEL (= GOD with us) HIMself suffered in their lives, yet none of them ever gave up on the FATHER, so how on earth could we ever consider doing so today? People act as if GOD owes them something. HE owes us absolutely nothing, we however owe HIM everything. Dying for us is the most HE could do. Living for HIM is the least we can do in return. We all have fallen short more times than we can ever count in this life and yet HE forgives, time and time again through repentance. HE drank the cup of wrath without mercy whereby we could have mercy without the cup of wrath. Love doesn't get any stronger than that friend. How foolish it would be for any of us to throw HIM and our eternal life away, where there will be no more pain, death, sorrow, or tears, for the sake of temporary circumstances. The national anthem of hell is "I did it my way." And the question today is NOT "why would a loving GOD sentence people to hell (eternal death)?" but rather "why would anyone choose hell (eternal death) over a LOVING GOD, who calls us HIS own, even through all the times we have failed HIM and let HIM down?" We only have 1 temporary flesh life to get it right. To the Christian, this life is the only hell we'll ever experience, but to the non-Christian, this life is the only Heaven they'll ever experience, and if you happen to be one today (i.e. a non-Christian) and you think your life is terrible, and you really start to focus on all the suffering going on across the world, imagine this being the best you'll ever get, when in reality this could be the worst you'll ever have to experience, and a far more better life to come afterwards, better than you could ever fathom, if you decide to trust in JESUS. Below, let's take a look at what Scripture says about unanswered prayers and perhaps we can get a little more understanding for why GOD sometimes allows them.
Possible Reasons For Unanswered Prayers:
- Sin: Anyone who has read the Bible knows that sin (lawlessness/unrighteousness) leads to separation from GOD (righteousness), along with consequences, and all throughout the Old Testament, whenever GOD's people rejected HIM for their own forms of religion and sinful pleasures, HIS SPIRIT and protection was lifted from them, and they began to realize how bad a world apart from HIM is, just as we're seeing more and more today in our world. People say "GOD has forsaken our nation" when really it is our nation which has forsaken HIM, and this is what a world without HIM looks like: lawlessness and brokenness, as foretold in Deuteronomy 28. Proverbs 15:29 says, "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Now does that mean sin is the reason for unanswered prayers in every case? Of course not, but it no doubt applies in some situations. GOD reminds us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Also, Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me:" and Isaiah 59:2 "but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." It should be noted that GOD always hears what we say, however this word "hear" as we see translated into the English, comes from the Hebrew word "shâmaʻ", and would be better understood as listen.
- Wavering/doubting (no faith): James 1:5-7 tells us, "5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." and Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." If someone doesn't have faith and doubts GOD, why waste time praying in the first place.
- Not making any effort ourselves: I believe this one without a doubt is a big cause for unanswered prayers. People want GOD to step in and do every little thing for them, and yet not give any effort themselves. Remember, faith without works is dead (see James 2). Imagine if Noah simply believed GOD would protect him and his family from the flood but never made any effort to build the ark, there's no doubt his prayer wouldn't have been answered and they all would have died but clearly that wasn't the case as Noah did his part. When we examine our lives and the lives of others around us, it's not that hard to see. It's like someone who has the habit of cutting themselves, and prays for GOD to stop the bleeding; until one puts the knife down, what are they supposed to expect? The same can be said about those who smoke, do drugs, eat junk/abominable foods, or stay drunk and wind up with some deadly disease. They can pray all they want to for healing, but if they're not willing to put in any effort themselves and give up the very things which caused it in the first place, what are they to expect?
- Unforgiveness: JESUS said in Mark 11:25, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
- Asking with wrong motives: When JESUS said "ask anything in my name and it shall be given unto you" in John 14, HE obviously wasn't referring to things which are not beneficial to the Kingdom of GOD in the sense of "anything" but instead to things which are. We've all been guilty of this at times, and though it's nothing wrong with praying for certain things in this life, what CHRIST was referring to is things which build the Kingdom of GOD. James 4:3 says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Remember, GOD has promised to supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19) through JESUS, not necessarily all of our wants. Proverbs 16:2 says, "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits." and Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."
- Shutting ears to the needy: Proverbs 21:13 says "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." Remember, as it's written in Galatians 6:7-9, "7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
- Pride: Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." James 4:6 also says "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." After all, what was the cause of satan's downfall? It was pride, in which he wanted to be God. It's important to always stay humble and never put ourselves on a pedestal, as our bodies were made from the dust, and to dust they shall return (Genesis 3:19). Sometimes we take credit in our lives for what GOD has done for us, even when HE's answered past prayers, and we shouldn't do that. Think of how some who receive healing, or some type of miracle, skill, or whatever it may be, and they say "I did that.", instead of giving GOD the credit. If you had the ability to answer someone's prayers, would you want to keep answering their prayers if they took all the credit themselves? I don't think so.
- Treating GOD like an object: Sometimes people buy into the wrong idea of who GOD is. They sometimes treat HIM like an object instead of a person/entity, who wants a relationship with them. When you think about it, some people wonder why they're not blessed. Why should they be? They treat GOD like a slot machine, and if they put in enough money (prayers), and pull the handle the right amount of times (say a prayer the right amount of times), that they'll get lucky enough to have everything line up their way. They treat HIM as if HE's some object that just grants wishes or a spare tire they pull out when they need it. They want to call upon HIM when things are bad but the moment everything is back under control, they turn their backs on HIM for the things of this world, or vice versa they call upon HIM when things are good but turn their backs on HIM when things get bad. Why do you think GOD compares our relationship to HIM as the relationship of a husband and wife? So that we could understand the power of HIS love for us and whereby we would know the hurt HE feels when we turn our backs and cheat on HIM. Just as it would hurt you to have the love of your life turn their back on you for someone else, so does GOD feel the same way when we do it to HIM through spiritual adultery (i.e. idolatry). For this reason, the first and most important Commandment is to have no other gods before HIM, and to love HIM with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Exodus 20:3, Matthew 22:36-37). Imagine you're married and you do everything possible to provide and take care of your spouse, only for them not to appreciate it, or give credit to themselves or someone else? Imagine the hurt and frustration you would feel, especially knowing they go and hop in bed with someone else. Again, think how many times in the spiritual sense we have done that with HIM, and we expect HIM to just give us everything we want? How selfish and ridiculous. That's like working for a company and the boss gives you a huge bonus to your salary, only for you to complain and give up on work completely due to a challenging task that pops up every once in a while. Sure it may be difficult but to those who truly trust and dwell in HIM, HE gives them the strength to overcome anything and everything (Philippians 4:13). JESUS said in Matthew 6:7-8 "7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."
- Treating your spouse bad: 1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
- Giving up: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "Pray without ceasing." That means to pray continually, without giving up. Again, that doesn't mean to use vain repetitions but to simply keep praying persistently and not give up hope. JESUS said in Luke 18:1 "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" When you think about the woman who suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years, written in Mark 5, that kept getting worse, think of how many prayers she probably prayed over the course of that time that went unanswered, until she finally got healing, and to think many people give up after just one. It was because of her faith in JESUS that she received healing when she touched HIS garment.
- Not according to GOD's will: Isaiah 55:8-9 "8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." It is not always GOD's will for us to be healed, or to have things go our way. When you truly think about it, you never know how our situations, sufferings, or even death can lead someone to CHRIST, and if I knew my time was today and that my death would lead even just 1 of my family, friends, or anyone else to CHRIST, and become Saved, and that's the extent it would take to get their attention to get their lives right, if they ever want to see me again, I wouldn't have it any other way. Also, sometimes we may be praying for our loved one's to get better, when we never know they could be praying for GOD to take them on, or for GOD's will to be done, and part of asking for GOD's will to be done can include that. Proverbs 19:21 says, "There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." Again, if GOD knows HE can lead someone to Salvation through their death, funeral service, or a certain situation, etc., even if it's generations down the line, why would HE not allow it? Why would you be against it? Again, it's better to suffer now (temporarily) and to enjoy later for all eternity, where there will be no more pain, sorrow, tears, or sadness, than it is to enjoy now, live your own way, and suffer later, where you'll face the wrath of GOD through the lake of fire, and miss out on eternal life, and all of the benefits in Heaven. Our life now is like a blink of the eye compared to eternity, or a grain of sand in the entire world, which still wouldn't compare to how long that is. Now aside from that, does that mean GOD is the cause for our sufferings? Of course not, but HE does sometimes allow them for whatever reason, maybe to get our attention, warn us from further dangers, or again to lead others to HIM. People fail to realize that the majority of their problems come from doing the exact opposite of what GOD tells them to do through HIS WORD. It's time people stop blaming HIM for what others do to them, and what they do to their own selves.
- GOD is protecting us: While we see only a limited vision, and the present view of our life, GOD sees the whole overall picture and plan, and how it will work out. We may think what we want or desire is best for us but perhaps it isn't or perhaps our particular timing isn't right. Think about a child who asks their parents for things. Some examples may be: "may I go play outside?", "may I have a dog?", "may I have a cell phone?", "may I go to the movies?", "may I go to my friend's house tonight?", "may I go on this date?", etc. Just as parents know what's best for their children, and the right time to allow them to do certain things, depending on the level of maturity they have, or the safety of their situation, so does our HEAVENLY FATHER do the same with us, except HE's perfect in every aspect more than we could ever be to ourselves, our kids, or others. Just as you wouldn't want your kids to drive before you know they're comfortable and ready behind the wheel, and just as you wouldn't want them working a potential dangerous job until you know they have the knowledge and skills to work it safely, so does GOD give accordingly to us, and our ability to handle it and how it will not only impact us, but others too. Good parents consider what's best for their child and they don't just give them everything they desire, because they know the potential risks, and/or the right time hasn't come yet, or perhaps they have something better planned. When GOD's answer is "no" or "not now" to whatever prayer we may have, our understanding of HIS best for us may be hard to comprehend in the moment, because again we see only a limited and partial view of our life, whereas HE sees the full picture and plan, and not only how it will impact us, but others too, even several years or generations later. For this reason, this is why HE commanded the Israelite's to destroy the wicked heathens in the Old Testament, because HE knew how it would have impacted them generations later, to the point of extinction, and to the point of JESUS never being born from that pure pedigree, to bring Salvation unto the world. We may think we're ready for marriage or ready to start a family, or ready to transition to a new career, start a business, hit the jackpot, etc., but HE knows what's best at just the right timing, and what's going to protect us most of all spiritually.
- GOD is answering another prayer: Let's say we pray for safety but we're also praying for a specific vacation or job opportunity to work out, or whatever it may be, and it doesn't work out. Perhaps if it did you wouldn't be safe but in order for you to be safe, GOD sometimes destroys our plans if HE knows our plans will destroy us or destroy others, whether that be physically or spiritually. It's like rushing to get somewhere on time, just to get behind a slow driver, and you're in a no passing zone, and you're shouting out "why did I have to get behind this person?", only to find out there's just been a bad wreck up ahead at the intersection.
Now aside from these things, no matter what situation you're dealing with or how long you've been praying for something, we must always remain faithful and keep trusting in our HEAVENLY FATHER at all times, no matter the outcome, as HE holds our life and offers us life everlasting, where there will be no more pain, tears, sorrow, or death (Revelations 21:4), to those who remain dwelling in HIM through CHRIST JESUS. As Paul states in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." and Romans 14:8, "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s." Ultimately GOD has a plan and a purpose for everything, and allowing certain things, whether it's to our liking or not. Remember, the Christian life is about self-denial, not self-promotion. Our life is GOD's gift to us, what we do with it is our gift to HIM, so who wouldn't want to live for HIM and bless HIM after all HE's done for us? A complete selfish and ungrateful person is who.
Sometimes we may wonder why GOD doesn't just answer all of the prayers of the ones who love and follow HIM, and we may think to ourselves that if HE did answer them, others would come to HIM, but when you look throughout the history of the Bible, what did society do? Even through all the miracles performed by GOD through Elijah and other prophets, society gave credit to false gods like baal, or other people, as we still see today. And even with all the miracles that JESUS performed, many still rejected HIM, and as it's written in Revelation 20, even after the Millennium, some will still choose to follow satan after knowing the full truth, because ultimately many choose to love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21), and choose to love the things of this world, more than the ONE who gave them life. How sad.
Sometimes we may wonder why GOD doesn't just answer all of the prayers of the ones who love and follow HIM, and we may think to ourselves that if HE did answer them, others would come to HIM, but when you look throughout the history of the Bible, what did society do? Even through all the miracles performed by GOD through Elijah and other prophets, society gave credit to false gods like baal, or other people, as we still see today. And even with all the miracles that JESUS performed, many still rejected HIM, and as it's written in Revelation 20, even after the Millennium, some will still choose to follow satan after knowing the full truth, because ultimately many choose to love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21), and choose to love the things of this world, more than the ONE who gave them life. How sad.
If you're currently dealing with unanswered prayers, and going through a hard time right now, below are some encouraging songs for you. 😊
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