Why No Answers

Bill Brinkworth

Many of your prayers may go up, but not all of the answers to them come down from heaven. You are not the only one to have had this happen. Some great, biblical men of God experienced similar prayer results:
“Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through” Lamentations 3:44 It seemed nothing was getting through to God.
“Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.” Lamentations 3:8
“I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.” Job 30:20

Why no answers? Here is a short study on some biblical reasons for not having had one’s prayers answered:

 … It could be because you are not one of His. You may not beborn again into the family of God (John 3:3). Born again is also called “saved” (Romans 10:9)! God answers the prayers of His own!
“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” John 9:31
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

… It could be because of committing sin.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 Iniquities are sins and unrighteousness we commit.
“The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”Psalms 34:6

 … It could be because of considering sin.
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalms 66:18 Regard is “attention to the mind, respect, esteem, object of sight.”

… It could be because of not obeying what God has told or showed you.
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” I John 3:22

 … It could be because of bloodshed.
“And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15

 … It could be you did not ask.
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Psalms 145:18
“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:8

… It could be because you asked incorrectly.
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3

… It could be because you were not kind or merciful.
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13

… It could be because you are unstable and cannot make up your mind.
“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. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:6-7

… It could be because you didn’t think He would or could do it.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

As you’ve read the above, has God shown you one or more problems with your prayer life? If so, confess it to God. Soon you will see God answering your prayers again.

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #109.

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