WHAT ABOUT UNANSWERED PRAYERS?

Unanswered prayers are a serious problem for many Christians and can sometimes lead to anger towards God or even unbelief. The question is, should we demand or expect God to always grant our request in prayer? But why our prayers sometimes go unanswered? These are genuine questions faithful believers wrestle with.

I would like to invite you to rethink the belief of unanswered prayers. 

Let me kindly challenge you that there’s no such a thing as unanswered prayers. Therefore, this article will prove to you from the Bible that our prayers are always answered. Nevertheless, the way that they are answered are by a Yes, Wait or No. The three options of answered prayers are clearly revealed in sacred Scripture.

THE DELAYED ANSWER TO PRAYER

But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 1 Samuel 1:5-6,10 ESV

Hannah’s approach to God in prayer was humble. She was in despair and was desperate to conceive. The deep pain of her heart was exposed in her bitter tears. She desperately pleads to God to be granted the desire of her heart. Interestingly, it appears that the whole process transformed heart disposition. 

Hannah’s pleading for a child led to an oath with God. From a self centred plea, to a God centred affair (1 Samuel 1:11). Remarkably, her prayer was answered by God (1 Samuel 1:19-20). The truth is, godly prayers are always answered it just how quickly God chooses to answer. In the case of Hannah she had to wait a little longer.

Consequently, Hannah understood that the will of God is primary and it’s the point of a Biblical prayer. Similarly, Abraham’s answered prayer to the birth of Isaac and Zachariah and Elizabeth having John the Baptist were both children that served the will of God (Genesis 21:1-7, Luke 1:13-17).

THE IMMEDIATE ANSWER TO PRAYER

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 ESV

The perfect prayer was revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus. Jesus’s prayer revealed the weight of the cross on His heart. The human side of Jesus would have preferred to avert the terrible suffering that was ahead of Him. 

In His petition, Jesus desired not to drink the cup of God’s wrath. However, He desired something and was denied except in His divine will and nature agrees with the Father. The prayer was perfect in that Jesus submitted to the Father’s perfect will.

THE NEGATIVE ANSWER TO PRAYER

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3 ESV

Most modern believers often pray for their desires to be met by God. As James pointed out that most of us, our goal is to satisfy our sinful passions. That’s why, the answer to such prayers are No.

This is because they are not acceptable in the sight of God. One thing to note, is that the negative answer doesn’t mean it’s unanswered, is just that it’s the right answer from God. Also, it’s not wrong to ask for personal earthly things but the question is whether it’s for a selfish sinful end.

THE BIBLICAL PATTERN OF PRAYER

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 ESV

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. He gave them a model or method to pray. This template is the theology for sound Christian prayer.

Importantly, the first half of the petitions involves God’s will. The second half deals with human needs. Moreover, His Word and Spirit grants salvation to hear and believe. Prayer is to communion and be changed and blessed by God.

Delight yourself in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 ESV

The truth is, if you delight in God, your desires will change as a result your prayers will align with God’s will. Therefore, when we commune with God in this manner our affection's are oriented towards the heart of God. Hence, your request to God in prayer will always be His will on earth. Like Jesus, when we love God and submit to His will our prayers will be right and pleasing to Him.

“Prayer itself is dependent upon the Word of God. In breathing in the Word of God through hearing it preached or reading its wondrous truths, we are being filled with God’s Spirit. Then, as we pray, we are exhaling the Spirit’s words and God’s will back to the Lord” Barry York, WHY IS PRAYER A MEANS OF GRACE: liognier.org 

More importantly, confession of sin and self examination are essential to right living (1 John 19-10, Matthew 6:12, Psalm 32:5, Proverbs 28:13). Effective prayers depends on right living. Holiness and godliness are linked to an effective prayer (Psalm 66:18, 1 John 1:6).

Amazingly, when Christians pray according to the Scriptures, they join Heaven in praising and worship of the Holy God (Revelation 7:11). Knowing the truth about prayer, we should always trust God’s answers to our prayers.

Hence, Christians should always pray in faith and trust that God loves His children and wants to bless them (Matthew 6:32, James 1:17-18). Prayer should be persistent within the will of God (Matthew 7:7-11, Luke 11:3).

In the final analysis, prayer is a means of grace and we should know that God is sovereign over all and that He knows all things from the beginning to end. Lastly, as people of God, let’s approach His throne of Grace with reverence and boldness through Christ our Lord and ask for His mercy and grace.