Unanswered prayers:
Many times, when we pray, we wait expectantly for answers to our prayers. We want answers NOW! We do not have the patience to wait. And when our prayers are not answered we lose faith in Elohim. We ignore the fact that Elohim works according to His timetable, not man’s!. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much “(Jas.5:16). There are also some reasons why our prayers are unanswered.
Praying without faith. Jas 1:6.”But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
We cannot hope to obtain any favor from Elohim if there is no faith. We can then only come with unwavering confidence in Elohim, that he will do what is right and best; and that if he sees that what we ask will be for our good, he will bestow it upon us. We should pray boldly and with confidence that Elohim’s answer will be for our own good. Once we have prayed with faith, we should avoid complaining about our problem again.
Very often, a person who prays doubts if Yahweh will really hear him and answer the prayer. A person who doubts and lacks faith should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. This lack of faith and trust in God also shows that we have no foundation, being unstable in all our ways. We must study the promises of God. That’s how we can know God’s will.
Don’t be a hypocrite when praying. Mat 6:5,”And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Prayer is a communion between Elohim and a man’s soul. There should be no interference from by standers or passers by. The hypocrites pray not to be heard by Elohim, but to be seen by men. This is a common feature in public prayer today, when people pray to impress or teach others instead of genuinely pouring out their hearts before Elohim.
These men make a public show of their devotions that they may have the name of sanctity.
Praying with sin in the heart. Isa.59:2,” But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” When our prayers are unanswered, we will blame everything around us and our circumstances except the sin in our hearts! Some will even blame Elohim for unanswered prayers. What does sin do? Sin separates us from fellowship with God, sin separates us from the blessing of God, sin separates us from the some of the benefits of God’s love, sin separates us from the protection of God. This is the reason we don’t see Elohim’s face shining on us (Num.6:25). Sin is the reason for unanswered prayers, not Elohim’s inability to hear.
Praying without forgiveness: Mat 6:12,”And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” One who is truly forgiven will show forgiveness to others; It was a maxim among the ancient Jews, that no man should lie down in his bed, without forgiving those who had offended him. He condemns himself to suffer eternal punishment, if he makes use of this prayer with revenge and hatred in his heart. This is the invariable rule by which God pardons men. If a man comes before God unwilling to forgive others, harboring dark and revengeful thoughts, how can he expect that God will show him that mercy which he is unwilling to show to others?
Praying selfishly: Jas 4:3’”Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Often men pray even when their intentions are to gain profit or to win litigations, etc. People who go to war often pray before battle. People pray for success in worldly matters, seeking not Elohim’s approval, but men’s. They pray not for the good of others but their own selfish greed. This kind of prayer does not yield fruit, but,” For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.“(Jas 4:15)
When you are feeling discouraged because Elohim’s answer is so long in coming, satan tells you it’s no use, because Elohim has forgotten us. Tell the devil to get lost because Elohim says,’ for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’(Heb.13:5) Remember, Elohim works according to His time, not ours. When the answer comes, it will come in a way and in a time it will be most enjoyed.
We can understand when Elohim does not give us the things that we crave for but really do not need. But we cannot understand why our prayers for health, jobs or promotions are not answered. At such times we should realize that what we ask is not in His plan. This should not in any way diminish our faith but on the other hand, are for own good. Remember, Paul prayed thrice for the ‘thorn in his side’ to be removed. But Elohim said, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee’(II Cor.12:7).
Worrying is a tool the devil uses to compound our problems and makes a little problem turn to a big problem. All we need to do is cast our burdens on Yahweh because He cares for us. Worrying gets us distracted. We should learn to give thanks for all we have asked form Elohim.
The prayers of many believers are selfish prayers and this is clearly seen by the fact that most of their possessions are used to help themselves, while only a pittance is offered to the Lord. If our possessions and talents are used for the service of the Lord, then He will “open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Mal.3:10)
