Every Christian at some point in time enters a season where it seems like their prayers go unanswered. In a time like that, your mind comes up with all sorts of ideas as to why this maybe. Many will start to question the existence of God. Or wonder if they have somehow lost their salvation. All because of unanswered prayers.
Church culture today is not much help on the subject either. A lot of modern teaching implies that the believer is never the cause of unanswered prayers. In fact, many people have come to believe that God hears every prayer which is another subject you can read more about here. Even believing the He will answer the prayers of anyone who simply believes. No matter their lifestyle.
But is that really what the Bible teaches? Or could we be the cause of our own unanswered prayers? If we slow down and begin to study prayer throughout the Bible the truth quickly becomes apparent. Contrary to popular belief, our actions have a definite impact on whether our prayers are answered or go unanswered.
Wrong Lifestyle
This is the biggest reason for unanswered prayer today. People living a lifestyle contrary to that that God has laid out for His people in the scripture. It is not simply a belief in one God that makes us right. It is our actions inside that belief. James calls attention to the fact that even the demons believe in one God. But I can guarantee you that God does not answer their prayers.
James 2:19 (ESV)
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
James uses this statement to show that simply believing in God does not mean you are saved. But it is also easy to see that belief in God does not mean your prayers will be answered. Whether you live a sinful life or righteous life effects that. Which we can see from multiple examples in the Old and New Testament.
Micah 3:4 (ESV)
4 Then they will cry to the Lord,
but he will not answer them;
he will hide his face from them at that time,
because they have made their deeds evil.
1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
If God does not even hear the prayers of those who continue to live in sin. Then how can we ever expect their prayers to be answered? We simply can’t. The lifestyle we lead has a direct impact on our prayers and even our salvation. If we expect to receive the benefits of being a Christian then we must live as a Christian and not as the world does.
Improper Treatment of Spouse
Peter 3:7 (ESV)
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
The verse above shows us that even the way we treat others, specifically how husbands treat their wives. Can have an impact on one’s prayer life. While this verse is directed at husbands it would be safe to assume that this applies to how wives treat their husbands as well.
It is important to notice that this verse is not speaking about any form of abuse. It specifically mentions understanding and showing honor. We are to love and respect our spouses. Always treating them in loving kindness. To not do these things many take for granted, will potentially cause our prayers to return void.
Solid Faith
How would you describe your faith? Is it rock-solid or do you often find yourself questioning whether or not this is all true? If you find yourself leaning to the latter your lack of faith may be the exact reason many of your prayers go unanswered.
James tells his readers to ask God for wisdom and He will provide. But that those who ask must ask in faith. Explaining that those who do not have real faith in God should not expect to receive anything from Him.
James 1:5-7 (ESV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
The concept that faith is required for prayerS to be answered should be nothing new to us. Jesus taught that those who have faith and do not doubt would be able to do great things through prayer.
Matthew 21:21-22 (ESV)
21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
All this is not to say the more faith you have the more likely your prayers will be answered. The truth is if you are never sure of the existence of God, then it should not come as a surprise if your prayers are not being answered. If anything, pray for God to help your unbelief as the father did in Mark chapter nine.
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV)
23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
The Wrong Motive
We have already seen how our actions and our faith can impact our prayer life. But still, there’s more to be discovered. In chapter four of the Book of James we as shown the reason we fight and even murder. Because we simply do not have the things we want. Even though all we really need to do is ask God and we would receive it.
James 4:2 (ESV)
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Yet, in the following verse, he explains that even though all we need to do is ask. There is still one other reason that we will not receive that which we ask for. The reason why we are asking.
James 4:3 (ESV)
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Too often we pray for things with the wrong motives. We ask for only that which will bring us pleasure. Things that will please us and not our Creator or anyone else for that matter. We cannot pray self-centered prayers and expect them to be answered by God. If you want to see your prayers answered try praying for the needs of someone else.
Inconcestiant Prayer Life
Believe it or not, the amount we pray and even the times in which we pray can impact the effectiveness of our prayers. Paul tells believers to pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Sadly too many people tend to only pray occasionally. Even more, people only pray when things get really bad. Even then prayer always seems to be the last resort. After every other option has been explored.
If you really want to see your prayers answered then pray as Paul taught and always be in prayer. Don’t wait until the bad times come. Instead, go to God in good times. If and when something bad happens you should go to God first. Pray as you head to the hospital. Pray while you pick up the pieces. Just pray and pray some more. You will never pray too much for God!
So Will All Your Prayers Be Answered If…
At this point you may be wondering if you do everything right then does that mean all your prayers will be answered. As great as that would be, it simply is not the case. We serve a God that is all-knowing. This means He knows exactly what we need and more importantly what we do not need.
At times we may be praying and asking God for what we believe would be good for us. When in reality the very things we are asking for could lead us away from God and towards destruction. So God simply chooses to leave that prayer unanswered for our own good. So still do not expect all your prayers to be answered and also understand that if some prayers go unanswered it is probably to protect you.
Evaluate Your Life
Now that you have taken the time to read this please take a moment. Think over the way you have been living and the prayers you have been praying. Do you fall short in any of the areas mentioned above? Could it be that your prayers have felt empty because of your struggles in one or more of these areas?
If you think that’s the case as strange as it sounds pray. Ask God to help you in whatever area you need. Take time to study these things out in the Bible. If you are able to address any of the issues shown above you will see your prayers become more effective right in front of your eyes.
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