Prayers that God Doesn’t Answer
Matthew 7:7
We have been talking a lot about prayers and the power that we as Christians have in the fact that we can pray.
When the trials come our way, we can pray
When the things happen beyond our control, we can pray.
We experience God hearing our prayers:
In times of sickness
In times of pain
In times of decision making
But are there any prayers that God doesn’t answer?
I am not talking about those prayers where God said NO! To our request and we walked away from it saying that God didn’t answer us.
When in fact, He did. You just didn’t get the answer you wanted.
But I am talking about prayers that go up but get nowhere. Is there such a thing?
I want to use the word of God to show you seven prayers that God doesn’t answer.
1. Unprayed Prayers –
Matt. 7:7 – tells us to “ask”. How can you expect God to answer a prayer that has not been prayed?
We walk around sad and upset at things that take place and we wonder where God was during those times.
My question to you: Did you take the situation to God in prayer? Did you take the time needed to bow your head and to ask God:
· To protect you while you were driving
· To help you keep from getting into it with your spouse
· To his will be done in the test that the doctors were taking?
Don’t blame God for not answering prayers that you did not pray.
Prayers that are prayed with:
2. Unconfessed Sin in our life –
We go to God in prayer without taking care of the sin our lives first.
Psalms 66:18
“If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”
Proverbs 15:29
“The Lord is far from the wicked but hears the prayer of the righteous.”
If you feel like you are not getting your prayers through to God, make sure you have taken care of your sin problem.
We all want to be the first to say that we are not perfect but we stumble in the fact of doing something about it.
Let us not get accustomed to living in a sinful world that we don’t feel the need to take care of the sin in our lives.
Remember: Sin will block your prayer with God.
Do what He says: Ask, but make sure you are asking for forgiveness of your sins before you continue on with your prayer.
Anything less would be making a mockery of God and his love for you but for his hatred of sin.
3. Unbelief in our Minds - why take time to pray if you are not going to believe that the prayer can change your situation?
Read James 1:6-8
The New American Standard version reads:
“But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (v.7) For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. (v.8) being a double-minded man unstable in all his ways.”
Double minded = doubting, hesitating.
If we could really realize the power we have when we pray we would become one dangerous Christian.
If we could really realize how our faith pushing our prayers could change our surroundings.
Cancer would not have a chance
Divorce would not be a problem
Kids would not be affected by the world
We would be walking in total victory.
But what hinders us? Not having the faith to back our prayers.
4. Unspiritual Motives – it sounds good that we want certain things but it’s the motives of how we are going to use what we get.
James 4:3
“You as and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on pleasures.”
KJV – “that you may consume it for your own lust.”
We want certain prayers answered that we really don’t need. It is more of a want!
God knows that if you were to win Publisher’s Clearing House that you would change.
· Most of us don’t pray now until we have a major bill due
· Most of us don’t get serious with God until we need that bank loan to come through.
God knows He would never see you again if you received something as much as you would win.
Some things we are better off without.
God doesn’t answer:
1. Unprayed Prayers
2. Prayers with Unconfessed sin in our life
3. Unbelief in our minds
4. Unspiritual Motives
And God doesn’t answer prayers when we have
5. Unresolved Conflicts
Matthew 5:23,24
“If therefore you are presenting your offering (gift) at the alter and there remember that your brother has something against you, (v.24) leave your offering there before the alter, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your offering (gift).”
God wants you to have a pure heart when you come before Him. Even if it means leaving your offering to go and make things right.
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
Mark 9:50
“…Be at peace with one another.”
Unresolved conflict not only hurts you and your brother but it also affects the prayers that you offer up to God.
6. Uncompassionate Heart – not showing that you care for others.
Proverbs 21:13
“He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and no be answered.”
We come in contact with many people that need help. And those who shrug their shoulders and walk on by are not walking with a compassionate heart.
Luke 10:30-37 – The Good Samaritan
After he saw the man in need:
He had compassion for him
He went to him
He bandaged up his wounds – gave what he needed
He gave him a ride back into town on his own donkey
He paid his hotel bill – gave money to the innkeeper
Verse 37: Jesus says, “Go and do the same”
Show compassion.
The seventh prayer that God does not answer is found in 1st Peter 3. But this one has nothing to do with the ladies. This one is just for the men.
Actually, just for the husbands!
Read 1st Peter 3:7
Husbands, you cannot have your prayers answered if you do not honor your wives.
That’s not what I say, that is what the Word says.
It is very crucial that you understand your role as the husband.
A lot is said many times in a kidding way about how the wives are to be “submissive” to the husband.
“He maybe the head of the household but I am the neck that turns the head”
With all kidding aside.
We preach and teach about the women being submissive and honor their husbands, but guys what a responsibility we have.
The Bible instructs the women to be submissive to the husband but it challenges us to love our wives as Christ loved the church.
How much did He love the church? He died for it.
When you have that kind of love that Christ has for us, you will not be picking fights, mistreating her or dishonoring her in any way.
The punishment? Your prayers will be hindered.
God doesn’t hear:
Unprayed Prayers
Prayers with Unconfessed sin
Unbelief in our minds
Unspiritual Motives
Unresolved Conflicts
Uncompassionate Hearts
And Unresponsive Husbands
John 16:25
“Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.”
