Un-answered Prayers

Let’s be honest, how many of your prayers are answered?  The answer to this question is, all of them.  They may not be answered the way you wanted them to be answered but they were answered.  Many prayers are self-centered prayers and the answer is probably no to most of those prayers.  Sometimes we pray for things we are not ready for so the answer may be wait.  Some prayers go along with the will of God and many times they are answered with a yes.

Some prayers are prayed with no faith at all so most of those prayers may end up with no.  Jesus said this to His disciples in Matthew 21:21-22, “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’”  Faith makes a big difference in anything we do in the spiritual realm; how is you faith?  

Did you ever consider your motives when you pray?  Your motives are very important while praying if you expect a positive outcome.  Remember the Lord knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.  

Another thing that will make a big difference when you pray is holding bitterness and un-forgiveness, these attitudes will hinder your prayers especially if you are praying that the Lord will forgive you of your sins.  Read what it says in Mark 11:25-26, “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.”

Forgiveness is very important to the Lord and unless we are willing to forgive others we will die in our sin and we cannot expect anything from God but His wrath.  Jesus suffered so much so that we could be forgiven, providing for us the ministry of reconciliation which will only be effective if we forgive those who trespass against us.  

Another thing I should mention that will hinder a married couple’s prayers is this, read what it says in 1 Peter 3:7, “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.”   Husband if your relationship with your wife is not an honorable one then your relationship with the Lord is not right.  When the Lord says to forgive your brother or sister; this also carries over to your wife and family.  If you are not right with your wife then you will be hindered in your prayer life.  

Anger is another thing that will hinder our prayers.  Not all anger is bad but if unchecked and allowed to run wild it will destroy instead of unite.  Many times we let anger fester for long periods of time and when that happens we don’t want to pray and, if we do, it usually ends in the wrong attitude and also hinders our prayers.  Remember these verses in Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”  Hanging onto anger can definitely hinder your prayers plus there are other things that hinder prayers but I think I have said enough.

Just remember God always answers our prayers; how He answers has a lot to do with us.  Something to think about, have a great day; and may God bless you and yours!!