Why are prayers unanswered?

[Apostol2013]

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. note one is the asking of an unrighteous now lets se another example : 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. The law in,our sense is the word of God , this is called rebellion.

 

[Apostol2013]

Isaiah 38

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. note

2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. note

4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,

5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. Here is example of a righteous man praying for it gets answered . I have prayed numerous times and got answered almost every time the key is an upright heart with God.the righteous living

 

[nogard]

Many people have hinted that God answers prayer yes, no, or wait. Maybe someone should have told Jesus this. According to Jesus, a "yes" is guaranteed for those who ask in His name and believe, or if a group of two or more people are asking. All I've been seeing in this thread is people saying more or less "that's not what Jesus meant" or "Jesus left out some important exceptions." Either way, you're making Jesus out to be either deceptive, aloof, or just unnecessarily ambiguous on the issue.

 

[Apostol2013]

The key is believe take the word believe what is to believe in jesus

 

[Kerry]

The Lord told Paul no. Just Imagine if God gave us everything we ask for. how chaotic that would be. My friends have ask me why I don't run for president. I said I can't, because I would annihilate Cuba, concrete the whole Island and have the worlds largest air force and naval base, Therefore I can't be president although it makes sense.

 

[nogard]

The key is believe take the word believe what is to believe in jesus

Actually, when I said believe I was referring to the Matthew 21 and Mark 11 references (see the second post in this thread). In those cases, believe meant simply believing that what you prayed was going to happen. I encourage you to look at the context of all those verses. Jesus gives no real exceptions to his promises that he repeats over and over again. His promises on prayer are so disconnected with what actually happens in the world yet no one seems bothered by it.

 

[nogard]

The Lord told Paul no. Just Imagine if God gave us everything we ask for. how chaotic that would be. My friends have ask me why I don't run for president. I said I can't, because I would annihilate Cuba, concrete the whole Island and have the worlds largest air force and naval base, Therefore I can't be president although it makes sense.

So then how do you explain Jesus' words? For being the ultimate authoritative voice of the faith, I'm surprised how much Christians dismiss what He has to say.

 

[Apostol2013]

Most of what i teach is from experience now i in the begining was different like a wild ox but when i became learned i no longer thought spoke or acted as the begining when spiritualy aligned with God the prayers are more quickly answered i learned what to pray for how to pray prayer is an art of war when executedexecuted properly without a schism it is very effective when completely aligned with the word of God aided with the Holy Ghost

 

[Kerry]

So then how do you explain Jesus' words? For being the ultimate authoritative voice of the faith, I'm surprised how much Christians dismiss what He has to say.

Because, my friend, the closer you come to God. The more His will becomes your will and not that of your own. This is why when baptised in the Holy Spirit we speak in tongues so that our will is not asked but yet His will.

 

[JaumeJ]

Sometimes when we ask for a YES we may have a NO for an answer. Both are replies. You have been answered.

 

[Cobus]

There is only ONE Answer to why God does not answer prayers.... John 19:31... Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Who does the will of God? The ones that HE MADE PERFECT! God only hears and DOES the PRAYERS for the ones that HE MADE PERFECTLY ONE WITH HIMSELF.... John 17... Jesus who did Father's will 100% asked this.... Father make them perfectly one, even as we are one.... Itis these people God hears, and ONLY SAYS YES TOO!

Kerry, first understand what God said to Paul on what PAUL ASKED... God DID NOT SAY: NO!... It is a lie if we say God said NO to Paul, God said this..... And not there is no NO in the answer..... First understand Paul's THORN and then you will no that there was NO NO FROM GOD TO PAUL//// It is fasle teaching to say GOd said NO!.... God said...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

For God to say NO to one of HIS own is to DENY HIMSELF.... if you understand salvation and the will of God you will understand that GOD CANNOT DENY HIMSELF.... That is why Jesus said there is only YES and IMMEDIATE YES ALL THE TIME....

If you do not believe this, you know not GOD! God cannot postpone, and He cannot say NO to any of His Children, even their prayers are 100% in HIS WILL... ALL of them and ALL in them, and ALL above them, and ALL through them is ALL GOD... Eph 4. God is ALL in ALL His children. And there is no negative in God... PERFECT!! that is ALL!

 

[mmberk]

I would say that when prayers are not answered or maybe they are just not the way we want them to be.,,

but It is in GODs timing and in his will for the answer to come...

Just my thought..

GOD BLESS

 

[Cobus]

I would say that when prayers are not answered or maybe they are just not the way we want them to be.,,

but It is in GODs timing and in his will for the answer to come...

Just my thought..

GOD BLESS

The Bible teaches not this, how can a person not get what they ask if it is the LORD IN THEM that asks? How can God say NO to HIMSELF or any person that HE APPOINTS TO BE A PRAYER PERSON? Even the THOUGHTS of people God chooses are HIS THOUGHTS... God said, for those in Christ is NEW CREATURES... EVERYTHING IS MADE NEW... In the LIKENESS OF CHRIST JESUS! And even MORE! Jesus said BIGGER THINGS... they will do as HIM! Now who do you know that does BIGGER than Jesus? Did God EVER say not to that person? NO!!!!

 

[just-us-2]

Many people have hinted that God answers prayer yes, no, or wait. Maybe someone should have told Jesus this. According to Jesus, a "yes" is guaranteed for those who ask in His name and believe, or if a group of two or more people are asking. All I've been seeing in this thread is people saying more or less "that's not what Jesus meant" or "Jesus left out some important exceptions." Either way, you're making Jesus out to be either deceptive, aloof, or just unnecessarily ambiguous on the issue.

This is exactly what I was thinking. As I followed cross-references I didn’t find anywhere that Jesus said anything like, ‘prayer will be answered except in these circumstances.’ I found several reasons why prayer is not answered, such as sin in one’s heart as in post #1, as well as doubt, selfishness, disobedience, and more. I found where we are told to be persistent with our prayers as Hannah was. Then there were the general requirements and the personal requirements of prayer…in a nut shell, we are the reason so many of our prayers go unanswered. I found what I have found many times before – we so often accept partial explanations and don’t bother to study all God says about a given subject. Therefore, scripture seems to contradict itself and divisions between believers multiply astronomically. That leads to the statement we so frequently hear, “we agree to disagree,” which should never be if we all serve the same God and read the same Bible.

The short answer to this predicament is that we must live where God lives, meaning making it our lifestyle to be in His will. The long answer will consist of many posts discussing various aspects of prayer that I learn as I pursue this vital component to my Christian walk. I hope some other folks find it interesting, too.

 

[just-me]

The Bible teaches not this, how can a person not get what they ask if it is the LORD IN THEM that asks? How can God say NO to HIMSELF or any person that HE APPOINTS TO BE A PRAYER PERSON? Even the THOUGHTS of people God chooses are HIS THOUGHTS... God said, for those in Christ is NEW CREATURES... EVERYTHING IS MADE NEW... In the LIKENESS OF CHRIST JESUS! And even MORE! Jesus said BIGGER THINGS... they will do as HIM! Now who do you know that does BIGGER than Jesus? Did God EVER say not to that person? NO!!!!

Did Jesus pray the wrong prayer? Or maybe he wasn't a prayer person. According to your explanation Jesus should have had the cup pass from Him, and then no would have any hope at all. I don’t think that was the plan even though He prayed for something that wasn’t the will of our Father in heaven. You might want to think again about the truth brother.

Matthew 26:39 (KJV)
[SUP]39 [/SUP]And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 

[Starcrash]

Many people profess to pray regularly so it seems like we should hear of an abundance of prayers answered every day…but we don’t. I’ve been wondering why this is and began to study the subject.

...

In all honesty, this sounds like a no-brainer – of course God isn’t going to answer the prayer of a person who harbors evil thoughts/iniquity in his heart.

Why would this be true? Jesus' words in the gospels assure us that God is a better gift-giver than even us. But who refuses their child's request because of "evil thoughts in his heart" or even direct defiance? Most of us realize that it is better to treat your child with kindness rather than spite, even when we're not getting the same in return, because we genuinely love our children. And if God loved us, then we'd expect Him to answer our prayers even if He doesn't think he'll get something beneficial in return.

Furthermore, God refusing our requests isn't consistent with the belief of free will. If we have the power to do anything, even something evil that God doesn't approve of, then why don't we have the power to get something evil that God doesn't approve of? Why do we think that our will trumps God's when it comes to actions, but think that God's will trumps ours when it comes to answering prayer?

 

[Starcrash]

Did Jesus pray the wrong prayer? Or maybe he wasn't a prayer person. According to your explanation Jesus should have had the cup pass from Him, and then no would have any hope at all. I don’t think that was the plan even though He prayed for something that wasn’t the will of our Father in heaven. You might want to think again about the truth brother.

Point well-made. There's nothing in the bible that suggests that Jesus couldn't have come again to fulfill prophecy, or died later in his life rather than that specific night. Even such a proposition as a horrible death becomes more bearable as a person considers it enough times to be bored with the thought. The cup could have indeed "been passed from Him" in the form of a delay, and the context makes it clear that God didn't give his son what he wished. But surely God, if his son asked for bread, wouldn't give him a stone... would He?

 

[just-me]

Point well-made. There's nothing in the bible that suggests that Jesus couldn't have come again to fulfill prophecy, or died later in his life rather than that specific night. Even such a proposition as a horrible death becomes more bearable as a person considers it enough times to be bored with the thought. The cup could have indeed "been passed from Him" in the form of a delay, and the context makes it clear that God didn't give his son what he wished. But surely God, if his son asked for bread, wouldn't give him a stone... would He?

It all has to do with the timing that our Fatherin heaven determines.

Habakkuk 2:1-4 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Galatians 4:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP]But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

[Starcrash]

It all has to do with the timing that our Fatherin heaven determines.

And Jesus requested that the timing be changed. These scripture passages show that God's will was for these things to happen in a certain time, but why couldn't Jesus alter God's will, especially since we'd simply see "the appointed time" or "the fullness of time" being a different time in retrospect if it had been changed? If even Jesus' requests can't be answered unless God wanted to answer them anyway, then what's the point of prayer? Do we have to ask God for what He wants to give us in order to get them every time? Is God seriously that miserly?

 

[just-us-2]

The issue of God answering prayers has always been an interesting one. Christians realize that many prayers go unanswered, and they rationalize it by listing all these exceptions in the Bible.

What is interesting about these passages, even when you read them in context, is that Jesus never once lists any exclusions or reasons why prayers won't get answered. Instead, we find Jesus boldly proclaiming again and again that anything we ask for in His name, we will receive it. In Luke 11, he even uses several metaphors to show this very simple promise.

So why doesn't this happen? Why, when we ask for fish do we sometimes get scorpions (see Luke 11)? Why does Jesus mention in Matthew 26 how God feeds and clothes the birds, and that we are so much more valuable then that, when millions of children die hungry and naked in this world?

This was the starting point for my quest also. I know prayers are answered just as we ask sometimes, but I have experienced and heard others talk of far more prayers that are prayed and seem to go unheard by our Father. My mind immediately recalled John 14:12, having read it many times before. So, I read, prayed, meditated and read some more to accomplish that first baby step toward understanding, because I couldn’t grasp what must have been meant by this. I just don’t see anything approaching the works Jesus did like raising the dead and so on. This is what God allowed me to see.
JOHN 14:12 (CJB)
12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father.

“Greater works” – greater in quality, not quantity
The context of the book of John indicates “greater works” are works of conversion by God’s grace. Christ’s purpose was to die a substitutionary death for us + salvation.
Miracles point to Christ as the true Messiah, but that is lesser than the actual bringing of sinners to Christ to whom the signs and miracles point – Spiritual rather than physical accomplishments.
“Anything done to the spirit of a person is permanent, that which is done to the flesh is merely temporary. All those whom Jesus healed or raised from the dead died again, so what is done to the spirit of a person is far greater.”

Of course, the next two verses are an extension of Jesus’ conversation with His disciples when He says:
13 In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.

That is where I bumped into that old, bothersome question of unanswered prayer…again! The phrase “in my name” is undoubtedly a key phrase, so it begs for exploration.
“Name” in Strong’s concordance New Testament # 3686=authority and character related to Strong’s 3685= to gratify in relation to divine pleasure or advantage (to have joy)
Since it is vital for full understanding, a look at Old Testament scripture about God’s name is necessary also.
Exodus 6:3 (KJV)
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Strong’s concordance Old Testament #8034=defined and conspicuous position. An appellation that is a word by which one is known. A mark or memorial of individuality by implying honor, authoritive report of character.
The other part of the John 14 passage that would not let me ignore it is where it says, “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The purpose of prayers being answered is to glorify God. I have wondered how do we really glorify God, especially if it involves Him doing what we ask of Him in prayer. It was easy to find that answer in scripture. John tells us in the very next chapter: John 15:7-8 (CJB)
7 "If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you.
8 This is how my Father is glorified -- in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim [disciples].”

Hmm, it glorifies God when our prayers are answered; we are to ask “in His name” which, put briefly, is His character…there are definitely some components to prayer that dictate God’s answer or lack thereof. I suspect those components are going to turn out to be character/characteristics of the one praying more so than of the prayer itself, not neglecting the pattern Christ gave us in the Lord’s Prayer. To be continued….