Ten Reasons For Unanswered Prayers is to demonstrate to you from Scripture to explain which are the different aspects that may hinder our prayers.
“The more your heart is washed, the more you will sense its remaining defilement.”
Unkown
Maybe I am the only one, but so many times it felt as if God did not hear my prayers. If you experienced it too, take a look at the ten reasons for unanswered prayers.
I do not think that we have to have an answer for every unanswered prayer, but that we will put our trust in God and know He has the best outcome for us in mind.
On the other hand, there is a sad truth and reality that every prayer warrior needs to face: Our choices and or lifestyle can be the reasons and direct results that our prayers can stay unanswered for an eternity!
Please join me to delve into the Word of God to look for answers to why our prayers will stay unanswered.
It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will minister to you as you read through these Scriptures.
1. You need Jesus:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
John 10:1-5
2. When we pray without faith:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:6-8
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Luke 1:37
3. When we don’t ask:
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
James 4:2-3
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
4. When we pray to be seen:
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:5-6
5. When we entertain unrepented sin in our life:
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:19-21
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
Psalm 66:18-20
But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!”
6. When we pray with unforgiveness in our hearts:
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25-26
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’
Matthew 6:14-15
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22
7. When we use meaningless repetitive words:
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:7-8
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”
Philippians 4:6
“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:18
8. When we ignore and oppress the poor – do wicked things:
“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.”
Isaiah 58:1-12
“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.”
Proverbs 21:13
9. When we pray with the wrong motives:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:1-6
“Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.”
Proverbs 3:34-35
10. When we don’t honor our spouse:
“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”
1 Peter 3:7
Conclusion:
- You need Jesus – no one can go to the Father, we need Jesus to go to Him. (John 14:6)
- When we pray without faith – “We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6
- When we don’t ask – “You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2-3
- When we pray to be seen – “enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:5-6
- When we entertain unrepented sin in our life –“If I regard sin and baseness in my heart [that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it], The Lord will not hear [me]” Psalm 66:18-20
- When we pray with unforgiveness in our hearts – “Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your failures.” Mark 11:25-26
- When we use meaningless repetitive words – “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.” Matthew 6:7-8
- When we ignore and oppress the poor – do wicked things – “Whosoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13
- When we pray with the wrong motives – “You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad” James 4:1-6
- When we don’t honor our spouse – “Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
Please share this article on social media to equip others with Scripture on the reasons for unanswered prayers.
If there are any other reasons or Scriptures you can add to these, please tell us in the comments below.
It is my sincere prayer that the Holy Spirit ministered to you while reading through these Scriptures, and if there is any area in your spiritual life you need to attend to, will give you clear directions.
Everything in Him, unto Him, and to glorify His Holy Name!
This article was proofread by Grammarly.
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