2014-11-24 God Isn’t Answering My Prayers

QUESTION:

Why does it seem that God does not answer our prayers?

I have been praying for at few years for a breakthrough, but so far my prayers have not been answered. I am getting discouraged and question God.

Is there anything that’s preventing me from getting my prayers answered?

 

RESPONSE:

Thank you for posting this question. We are quite sure that every Christian feels this way at some point in their journey with God. In fact, these questions have been faced by many God followers over the centuries – even David cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.” (Ps 22:1-2, NLT). So, before we answer your question, you need to understand that you are not alone in your experiences. Many have been there and many of us, despite different circumstances and challenges, are facing the same questions regarding God’s involvement and presence in their lives.

Furthermore we should say that unless we know exactly what you have been praying for, and your journey over the last few years, it is difficult to answer this question in anything other than a general way.

Here are a number of general things we can consider when we feel we are not seeing our prayers answered by God:

– The fact that you feel that your prayers are not answered does not mean that
1) God is not listening to you when you call on Him or
2) That He is not answering you.

The Bible is full of verses assuring us of the fact that God is always listening (e.g. Psalm 66:19-20 and 1 John 5:14). And God may be answering in very unexpected or surprising ways that are different from what we think it should be.

– Prayer is a conversation. As with any conversation we talk and we listen. So prayer does not only include talking to God, but also listening to Him. God knows our needs and desires before we even mention them, but He wants us to pray because that is what brings us closer to Him. Having conversations with people – not just talking and asking – is what builds relationship with people around us. This is also true for our relationship with God. Through these conversations – though prayer – we are changed. Henri Nouwen defined prayer as “thinking and living in the presence of God”. Prayer is more than just a moment, it is a lifestyle that invites the presence – the influence – of God in every aspect of our lives. What has God been saying about your situation? What has God been asking or inviting you to do? How does God want you to partner with Him in overcoming the challenges that you are facing?

– Since we are always better at pursuing, understanding and worshipping God when we do it alongside other Christians, it is good idea to involve fellow believers that you trust in what you are praying for. In this way you will have more people “listening” to what God is saying to you and about your situation. (James 5:16 (MSG): “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”)

– When we are praying for others we must remember that people have a free will and can resist God. For example, if we are praying for a loved one to come to know Jesus, God may be at work, but they may take a long time to give up in their resisting of Him. Praying for others doesn’t guarantee that they will become what we pray for them, but without prayer, they may never experience the work of God in their lives. So we continue to pray for them, but if we don’t see results in their lives it may not be because of any fault on our side.

Going back to David in the Psalms. When David cried out to God, wrestled with God, became upset with God (yes, he did all these things!), he somehow ended up in the end praising God, thanking God and renewing his hope in God again. (Read the whole of Ps 22 and Ps 49 for example). This gave great depth and strength to David’s relationship with God. No matter what you are facing – whether this is caused by the presence of the destruction and evil in the world or something else – God’s intention is always to draw you closer to Him and see the world blessed (James 1:16-18). In every situation we face, there is always hope, because God is there. He is listening. He has rolled up His sleeves to work with you and bring a solution. He is not afraid to get His hands dirty. He is not indifferent and far away. Keep on believing that He is – amidst any situation you may face – drawing you into a deeper relationship with Him. Do not withdraw or isolate yourself. Choose to draw closer, praise wholeheartedly and listen attentively to Him no matter what you face or feel.

We hope that you find these considerations helpful. Please feel free to be in touch with one of the leaders in our leadership team if you have any further questions or would like to chat about the specific challenges that you are facing right now.