Have you been praying for something that just doesn’t seem to be getting through to God?
Are you praying for guidance or direction only to hear nothing?
What do we do? Give up or keep praying?
I’ve been praying about a situation for a long time with no answer in sight. Or maybe the answer has been provided and I just don’t see it.
I’ve been looking up Bible verses related to prayer and found some answers about why we don’t receive our answers to our prayers.
But first, The Lord’s Prayer. One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and this is what He said:
“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Sometimes when I do not know what to pray, I pray The Lord’s prayer. It covers it all, right? Praise, petition, forgiveness, provision. It’s a beautiful prayer.
The following verses help us understand when our prayers seem to not be heard and my thoughts to go with them:
“No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11b (ESV)
If I do not get the answer I want, maybe what I prayed for wasn’t in my best interest. Or maybe at the time of my prayer, I wasn’t walking uprightly as I should. Something to look at.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:5-8 (The Message)
Pray and do not doubt. Believe God hears me. No doubting.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ─ 1 John 5:14
Just because I do not get an answer immediately, does not mean He hasn’t heard me. Be confident He hears your prayers.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ─ Philippians 4:6-7
When we worry or are anxious about something, Paul tells us to pray and be thankful. Leave the prayers with God. When we do this He promises peace. Who doesn’t want some peace? When I am anxious my heart and mind need to be guarded otherwise my thoughts can go crazy in some situations. This peace mentioned here is real and is available to each of us.
Some things I’ve learned about God and prayer;
- God is not in a hurry
- His answer may be no or not now.
- He’s teaching us to trust Him.
A few reasons our prayers may not be answered based on Scripture:
- We pray with the wrong motive James 4:3
- We have unconfessed sin Psalm 66:18
- We are not asking in faith Matthew 21:22
There are many more Scripture verses about prayer. I would encourage you to look some up.
Seek the Father. He loves us and desires a relationship with us.
Don’t give up praying. Trust our Heavenly Father has heard you.
A book I recommend about prayer is The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
God Bless you and pray on.
Good thoughts on prayer my friend. One thing I have learned through long suffering in prayer is that Jesus does not disappoint. Even when his answer is to wait, I can trust that he has my best interest in love.
Thank you. Yes, He never disappoints. Even when His answer is different than we had hoped. He truly does want the best for us. Glad you stopped by.