Unanswered Prayers

          Question: I have prayed for so many things for so long and they were not answered. Is God ignoring me and should I give up praying for these things?

           Answer: Most all of us have asked this question at some point.  In times of trouble and in times of despair, and in times of wants and needs, it seems heaven is silent. Has God forsaken us?

          Let’s find out just what the Bible has to say about this situation. WE use the Bible because it is the Word of God, and because God Himself says, He and His Word are the same. So it is like the autobiography of God and it also is an instruction manual to our daily living.  How can you know the things of God unless you learn of Him? And the only ways to do that is read about Him and ask about Him and become familiar with His Word, and His ways.

          We in our human mind cannot understand everything about God. Our thinking and ability is limited. God’s word tells us, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. “(Isaiah 55:9) So then how are we to know the thoughts and ways of God you ask? By reading and study of His Word. And that is what we will do to answer this question. For God Himself says,” The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. “(Proverbs 16:1)

           First, what is prayer? Prayer is communication with God. It’s a petition, a supplication, a simple conversation with Him. How can anyone expect any answer from anyone unless they communicated with them? The same goes with God.  But also let me ask you, would you tell your hearts desires and or troubles to a complete stranger? Of course you would not, so we first must come to know God and have a relationship with Him, in order to have that relationship, to be able to communicate our prayers to Him.

           The Bible tells us that God expects us to repent, and ask forgiveness of our sins. Because as the bible states,” But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” There is issue number one with unanswered prayers. WE live anyway we wish and do whatever we want then when we are in trouble or have a need or want, we expect God to help us and give to us, without question. God is a Holy and Righteous God.  He has a set way for us to approach Him and that way as His Word tells us is with a contrite and penitent heart.  When we have repented and have asked forgiveness of our sins and accepted the sacrifice of Jesus and His shed blood as God instructs us, by His word,” Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”(Acts 3:19) So it all must start with repentance and asking forgiveness of sin and then forsaking that sin daily.

           It states in God’s Word,” Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” When we repent and accept the forgiveness and sacrifice God has made for us, and allow His spirit and Word to abide in us we then have easy access to God and we can go to Him knowing as He tells us,” 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) So there you have it. He will answer and will give it when we line up with His Word and His ways.

         There are other things that hinder prayers. Things such as doubt, unbelief, and even wanting things to satisfy lusts. Scripture tells us, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”(James 4:3) .When we have faith and do not doubt in our hearts, it states this,” For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”(Mark 11:23) also in Hebrews 3:12 tells us,” Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

          So does God Not answer prayers? Yes, He does. But, when we do as He instructs us and we abide in Him through being obedient and doing what He tells us to do, we know without doubt, he hears us,” And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”(1 John 5:14).

         There are so many more reasons and many more scriptures to read and study. I suggest you do what God instructs and I also am confident when you do, and you and God have a relationship with one another as He asks of you, your prayer life will dramatically change. But remember, this is a daily relationship, and as with any relationship it has to grow and it has to be a working one. It cannot be just when you decide when it’s convenient for you, and then expect God to show up when you decide you need Him. I tell people all the time, God is not a vending machine; you insert prayer and out comes an answer. No, God is a loving and caring God, But also a Holy and Righteous God who is to be reverenced and honored, and also a God who by your unbelief and doubts and sin will stay silent and separate from you, as scriptures has shown.

         So today, please, repent of your sins, and make Jesus the Lord of your Life. And then make your petitions known to God, and become one with Him. And then you will learn and grow in His Grace and Mercy, and your prayers will not be hindered.

The Bible Man.