As the old saying goes, “It seems like my prayers are hitting the ceiling and bouncing back at me.” I would dare say a great majority of those who believe in prayer have wondered at some time or another, “Why does it seem like God isn’t hearing or answering my prayers?”
Ask When You Pray
The Bible tells us God knows what we need even before we ask him (Mathew 6:8). Even so, he still wants us to ask when we pray. We can’t expect to receive something that we do not ask for (John 16:24).
So when we are asking, what are some reasons God will not hear or answer our prayers?
We Must Be Right With God
(John 9:31) We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
The first thing a person must do if they expect God to hear their prayers is to obey his plan of salvation. A sinner who has not repented can not expect to receive anything they ask of God. He simply isn’t listening. (John 9:31)
The same can be said for a person who has been saved, yet they have hidden sin in their heart (Psalm 66:18) that has separated them from God. (Isaiah 59:2) says your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Is It God’s Will?
(1 John 5:14) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Is what we are asking for God’s will. His will for our lives is what we always need to seek after. We should always be willing to accept that his answer might be “no” or “wait”. Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42).
Are Our Motives Right?
What is our motive in asking God for certain things. If our motives are wrong, we will not receive what we are asking for (James 4:3). All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord (Proverbs 16:2).
Our Dedication To God
We can all be guilty of only coming to God when we need something. Maintaining a walk with God that includes praying and reading the Bible regularly will ensure he will be there for you when you need him.
(John 15:7) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Relationships Can Hinder Prayers
(1 Peter 3:7) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
When reading this Scripture I always think of a story told about a husband and wife who argued all the way to Church. Once at Church, the husband proceeded to worship the whole service as if nothing was wrong. This really annoyed the wife. After church the wife ask her husband, “How could you worship in Church like that after fighting with me all the way there?” His response, “I was mad at you, not God!”
In all seriousness, the Bible makes it clear to treat your spouse with respect so that your prayers won’t be hindered, especially husbands. This principle can most certainly be applied to how you treat everyone. An inconsiderate and disrespectful person should not be surprised if their prayers fall on deaf ears.
Some Of The Most Difficult Unanswered Prayers
Many of us have heard of, and some have experienced or witnessed miraculous healings. A lot of us have also seen people many thought would never live for God do just that because of prayers for those individuals. This leads to perhaps the most difficult unanswered prayers, when we pray for things such as the healing or salvation for a loved one, and it doesn’t happen.
In (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), Paul was given a thorn in his flesh. It has been debated as to what kind of disability or sickness this was. Regardless of what it was, he pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away. God’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
There will be times in our walk as a Christian that we will not understand why some things happen the way they do. We will not be given an answer. It is at these times that (Proverbs 3:5) will be put to the test.
(Proverbs 3:5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Sometimes God’s Greatest Gifts Are Unanswered Prayers
We know the answer to our prayer is yes when we see what is an obvious answered prayer. It is when he says no that proves to be difficult to understand. These are often the times it seems God isn’t listening or answering. Ultimately, these are the times we should be most thankful for.
Because God can see the bigger picture that we can’t, what comes across as an unanswered prayer for a child of God is really God knowing better than we do what’s best for us. His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8). Some things just aren’t going to make sense to us on this side of heaven. In the end we will find that sometimes God’s greatest gifts really were unanswered prayers.
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