(This is the first article of our 2-part series on ‘Unanswered prayers’.)
“What are the reasons for my unanswered prayers? Is there something wrong with how I pray?” There are no simple answers.
The question most people ask is: What is God’s will? The next question most people ask is: Why does God not answer my prayers or why do I not see an answer to my prayers?
The reason is not necessarily unbelief.
Not receiving an answer or not getting what you asked, does not necessarily have anything to do with unbelief. Paul prays in 2 Corinthians 12:9 about the thorn in his flesh. He asked God three times to be delivered, but God said ‘no’, that His grace was sufficient for Paul. In this case it had nothing to do with unbelief on Paul’s part, but with the will of God in the specific situation.
For consideration
Following are a few things you can consider when trying to understand any delay in receiving answers to your prayers.
1. Our ‘responsibility’ is to pray, and God’s ‘responsibility’ is to answer
Often, we want to pray and give the answer. Why do we then ask the Lord to help us to understand His will? God’s will is always perfect. He is Almighty and knows what He is doing. In Gethsemane Jesus prayed: “Not my will, but Your will be done.” When we pray in faith and completely surrender to His answer, it is a sign of belief, not unbelief.
To do: Write out a prayer in which you surrender your will to the Lord, saying that You trust Him to answer you in His own time and way. Thank Him for taking responsibility for you and your situation.
2. When you feel confused and overwhelmed, focus on God’s character
Focus and study His character and learn more about who He is. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you God’s character in Scripture. You can start by reading the Book of Psalms. There is much to learn about God from Psalms. Trust and believe God’s Word rather than trusting your own feelings or doubts.
Some circumstances or situations in your own life can leave you feeling helpless, confused and bitter. Sometimes you may go through a traumatic time and there are just no answers. During such times, more than logical answers, knowing who God is will help you. Only God, His character and actions remain the same (Num.23:19; Hebr.13:8). When your focus is on God Himself, you will begin to have fewer questions, because you will see and know that God never loses control and is never indifferent towards us.
To do: Write a prayer in your own words asking God to reveal His character to you.
3. Pray according to God’s will
Many people pray many things. However, few first search for the will of God in a matter. The Our Father prayer teaches us to pray: Your will be done. John 13:12-14 teach us that anything we ask in Jesus’ Name, He will give to us.
However, 1 Joh.3:21-22 says: If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. Matthew 4 tells us how the Evil One tempted Jesus. Jesus answered “no” every time, because not one thing of what Satan said was God’s will for His life.
To do: Ask God to make His will known to you in His time and in His way.
4. Sometimes God shows mercy in not answering us
A positive answer is not always the best thing for us! (Psalm 106:15). At a certain time God gave Israel what they asked, but it was to their detriment: “Then He gave them what they asked, but they declined in health.” They were so self-absorbed that they did not want to listen to God’s council and wisdom, and it was to their own judgment. Be content that sometimes ‘no answer’ from God is to protect you from more than you realise.
To do: Thank God for not answering all your questions and that you can and will trust Him to make known to you what you need to know.
5. We are often not spiritually in the right place for the answer
Sometimes we ask questions about, for example the future or what the outcome of an illness will be. God doesn’t answer us, because we are not spiritually mature or ready for the answer. Should He answer us on our timeline, it could possibly destroy us or we could lose our faith.
Knowledge can be a stumbling block. Too much knowledge can lead to a loss of faith and misery. That is why God sometimes does not tell us everything we want to know. At such times, let it be enough that God knows and that He is in control (Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Corinthians 13:12).
To do: Confess before God that you trust Him with those things you don’t know or understand or get answers to.
6. God has a purpose for every person
Sometimes God wants us to do something ordinary, and at other times something extraordinary (Romans 9:21). When we want to have something contrary to His purpose and plan for our lives, then the answer must be ‘no’ for our own good.
To do: Ask God about your life’s purpose. Tell Him that you entrust your life to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you which things in your life are not His will (1 John 5:4).
7. At times, we don’t stand on ‘praying ground’
When our heart’s attitude is wrong, it can be hard for us to hear what God is saying to us. There can be times when you just want him to give you what you want. At other times there might be sin in your life. Sin hinders the answering of prayer. Psalm 66:18 teaches that God won’t hear if there is sin in our hearts. Also, the one who hides his sin, must not expect anything good; the one who confesses his sin and repents, will receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Ask the Holy Spirit to help you come to a place where you can stand in complete dependency before God, with your heart set on Him, your life clean and ready to do the will of God regardless of what He asks.
To do: Take time to be quiet before God and ask the Holy Spirit to show you any sin that hinders God to work in your life. Confess that sin, e.g. slander, honouring your father and mother, anger, racism, etc.
8. Sinful reactions when we think God is not answering
When answers to prayer tarry, it is easy to fall into self-pity, bitterness, unbelief in God and the Word, anger, misery, or disappointment. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah about this very thing; Therefore, thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning Gods faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. (Jeremiah 15:19).
To do: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you negative attitudes towards God. Confess it and ask for forgiveness. Make a definite choice to believe God – that He is good, just and merciful and that He does not want to cause you damage.
9. We must persevere in prayer
Jesus taught us to persevere in prayer and not to despair. Persist until the answer comes (Luke 18:1-8).
To do: Make a list of the things you used to pray for in the past, but have since stopped. Put these things back on your prayer list and persevere in prayer.
Download part 1 as PDF
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