Unveiling The Mystery Of Unanswered Prayers

Bible talks a lot about prayers. All of us would be familiarized with this famous quote of Jesus in Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. Ask, seek, knock then God will answer, and make things come your way. Sounds simple enough, but what about all those unanswered prayers in our lives? I am sure that each of us can relate to this.

He chooses not to answer prayers for any number of reasons.

Here are some-

1. Double mindedness. James 1:7 - "Let not that man think he will receive anything from the Lord."

2. Wrong motives James 4:3 - "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures”

3. Refusing to be reconciled with a brother - Matthew 5:23-24 - Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

4. Refusing to forgive another. Matt. 6:14-15 - “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.

5. Walking out of the will of God - I Sam. 28:6 - And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.

However, on the flip side, there are many heroes of the Bible, God-fearing, righteous, and faithful men. Still, they had to go through the frustration of unanswered prayers.

Unanswered Prayers in Scripture

1. Moses

We all know Moses as the one with whom the Lord spoke face to face. (Exodus 33:11). In fact, the Lord spoke with him in a way that He spoke to no other prophet. in a way that he spoke to no other prophet (Numbers 12:8). When the Lord wanted to destroy the stiff-necked Israelites, Moses interceded for them and halted God’s judgement on the nation. However, when he prayed with great passion for something very personal, it was rejected.

Deuteronomy 3:23-26 - I begged the Lord at that time, saying, “Lord, you have begun to show your servant your greatness, and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do works like yours, and mighty acts like yours? Please let me go over and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that fine mountain, and Lebanon.” But the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, and didn’t listen to me. The Lord said to me, “Let this satisfy you. Speak no more to me of this matter. . . .”

2. David

David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). Just like Moses, his intercession too halted God’s judgment on the entire nation (2 Samuel 24:25). But when he prayed specifically for the life of his child, his prayer was not answered.

2 Samuel 12:16-18 - David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the ground. The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, and he didn’t eat bread with them. On the seventh day, the child died. . . .

It is true both instances were blemished by sin but both had repented and were forgiven by God (from an eternal perspective). In spite of that, their specific prayers were not answered.

3. James and John

Among the disciples, Peter, James and John had a uniquely close relationship with Jesus. John was one of the disciples whom Jesus loved and he was the one leaning on Jesus' bosom at the las supper (John 13:23). One day, John and his brother James came to Jesus with a very special request (Mark 10:35-40) They wanted a special place on either side of Jesus in glory. Matthew even records that their mother came to Jesus with this request for her two sons (Matthew 20:20-21). Their request, however, was denied. Jesus said - But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared (Mark 10:40).

The question remains – why are not all the prayers of even Godly saints not answered?

Sometimes God’s no is better than his yes.

Think what would happen if the Lord answered all our prayers all the time just the manner in which we prayed?

For sure, it would be devastating since some of our prayers are foolish and short-sighted. There is this legend of King Midas which demonstrates this truth. He prayed that whatever he touched would turn to gold. His request was granted, and he was just overjoyed to see all that he touched turning to gold. But then, one day, he touched his daughter and she turned to a golden statue. Alas, he lost a precious treasure that gold would not buy.