Nope! While that may sound harsh it is simply the truth. God does not hear every prayer that is offered to him. In reality, God hears the prayers that are offered by those who place their trust in him. Those who have made an effort to turn away from sin. All prayers offered by people with those characteristics are heard by God.
Church culture today may want to tell you the opposite, but I want to tell you the truth. While it may sound pleasing to the ear. The idea that God hears every prayer that just is not what the Bible teaches. Look at what John recorded in his Gospel.
John 9:31 (ESV)
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.
The Apostle Peter makes a similar statement in his first letter.
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.”
The scripture references can continue to go on and on. But they all seem to say the same thing and that is that there is a definite distinction between the prayers that God choices to hear. And those that He simply does not. The distinction really comes down to faith and your actions. Whether you are living righteously or sinfully.
Psalm 34:16-17 (ESV)
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
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 John 5:14 (ESV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
All the scripture listed above shows that God decides who prayers He will hear and whose He will not hear. And while it may not be something many of us want to hear it is true and honestly it just makes sense.
The Bible teaches that God is our heavenly father. Often scripture will teach us about the nature of God by comparing His actions to the action of earthly parents.
So think about it this way, you have children and layout all the rules and expectation you have for them. Then as they grow older they began to disobey the rules you have set forth and completely ignore you. Are you going to reward them by giving them everything they ask for?
No, you wouldn’t, and you shouldn’t, and that does it mean you don’t love them. In fact, it proves that you truly care and want them to see them live a right life. So why would you expect God to be any different?
Of course just as we can decide to help out our children in a time of need so can God. He is willing to help those who turn to Him in their time of real need. Of course, this implies that you are going to stay on the right path from that moment on. Not that you are simply looking for a quick fix to a problem.
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Please see that the Bible shows us that God does not really hear every prayer. That concept is created by people who want to be able to live in the world and still receive rewards from God. The truth is that God only hears the sincere prayers of those that follow him and live as He has instructed them to live.
If you have been praying and praying but nothing has changed in your situation. Evaluate your life. Ask yourself have I been living a life pleasing to God? Or have I been living a life in the world only do that which pleases me? Find the issues in your life and do all you can to correct them. While continuing to pray to God then He will hear your prayers.
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