Why Unanswered Prayers?

Sometimes there are times in my life when I feel as though my prayers are going unanswered. No matter how much I pray, or fast, I feel as though I am not getting a result. The feeling that God is remaining silent in my life on certain matters pains me. Sometimes it is enough to where I want to disappear for a while and ask God for a leave of absence from prayer and bible study. But I know that could never be possible. In fact, I’m sure that I would not even be okay with that scenario. Matthew 26:4 says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” There comes a point in life where sometimes I ask myself, “can I blame God?” I ask myself this question when I know that deep within myself, I am not doing all that I can do. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Prayer is the secret weapon to all issues related to our existence. Marriage, salvation, destiny, faith, children, family, wealth, etc. these things are all related to God. When a Christian prays according to God’s will, things change. It is Jesus who told us in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” Jesus promised that whatever it is that we are praying for that with faith we shall have them. Then if this is the case, then why does it seem as if prayers are not getting through to God? There are many reasons why the answers to our prayers may seem as though they are not getting answered. One of these reasons may be because of sin. “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

When we go to God it is important to confess our sins and turn completely away from them through the help of the holy spirit. Another reason may be according to our faith. Do we really believe that God will answer us in the first place? Or do we wallow in self-pity, doubt, and pessimism. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Another reason may be because the prayers were heard, but that they are literally not getting through to God. When Daniel prayed to God to be given the interpretation of his vision, an angel came to him and told him that his prayers were heard, but that principalities had withstood the answer for 21 days. “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” (Daniel 10:12-13) It was a spiritual power that prevented the answer to Daniels prayer from getting through to him. Prayer is more than just reciting some vain words for a few minutes and then leaving it in “God’s hands” prayer must be exercised consistently, boldly, and with faith; often times until a breakthrough occurs, this can take time. Sometimes prayers can be heard but not answered due to spiritual laziness, unbelief, and distraction while praying. I am not saying that this was the case with Daniel, but it is the case for many Christians today.

Jesus also told us that when we fast, we are also to pray. Prayer and fasting is a wonderful gift that brings humility, power, and spiritual strength. Lastly, it is important to remember that we have the whole armor of God, in which is the end time weapon that was given to us in Ephesians 6:10-18. It is not by our own strength alone that we can change or do anything, but it is through Jesus Christ and his power. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” (2 Corinthians 10:4) Therefore, if we are equipped with the whole armor of God, we stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the spirit, and lastly prayer. Wherefor it is nothing that the enemy can do to hurt us or defeat us in prayer.