VIA Times – December 2015 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Richard Mirpuri
Have you ever wondered why your prayers aren’t being answered?
Have you ever wondered if God really hears your prayers?
Have you ever wondered what the scriptures say about your prayers being unanswered?
Here are seven reasons God won’t answer your prayers.
First, doubt and do without. . .the effects of unbelief.Matthew 13:58 in the Amplified Bible says:“And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).” If we ever doubt that God is a miracle working God. . .then we will live our lives without manifesting the power and promises of God.
Luke 17:19 in the Amplified Bible says: “And He said to him,Get up and go on your way.Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.” Our faith. . .our confidence in the Word. . .brings miracle manifestation into our lives. But if we doubt. . .we will do without.
Second, having ‘ought’ will keep God from hearing your prayers. Mark 11:25 in the Amplified Bible says: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and short comings and let them drop..”
This verse is not conditional . . .it’s not based on whether or not a person deserves forgiveness. It doesn’t matter how badly a person hurt, embarrassed or offended us. . .we must forgive. . .leave the offense in the rear view mirror and let it go. Matthew 5:23-24 in the Amplified Bible says: “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
If we have unforgiveness against someone God will not accept our offerings until we make things right with the person we have offended. It’s real simple. . .if we don’t forgive others. . .God will not answer our prayers. . .because He won’t even hear them. Psalm 66:18 says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Third, breaking a vow. . .a promise. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 in The Living Bible says: “So when you talk to God and vow to him that you will do something, don’t delay in doing it, for God has no pleasure in fools.Keep your promise to him. 5 It is far better not to say you’ll do something than to say you will and then not do it. 6-7 In that case, your mouth is making you sin. Don’t try to defend yourself by telling the messenger from God that it was all a mistake to make the vow.That would make God very angry; and he might* destroy your prosperity.”
The scripture calls us fools if we not obey and/or fulfill our vows to God. The scripture also says calling a vow we freely made. . .a mistake. . .makes God very angry and that He might destroy our prosperity. Malachi 2:13-16 in the New Living Translation says: “Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept themwith pleasure. 14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why!Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.” If you’re unfaithful to your marriage vows. . .God will not accept your offerings. The church or ministry might accept them but not God. He will not accept your worship or your prayers. . .if you are breaking your marriage covenant.
Fourth, dishonoring parents.Exodus 20:12 in The Living Bible says: “Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God will give you.” This is the only commandment with a promise. There are no conditions on the promise. It doesn’t say whether your parents were good or bad. . .it doesn’t say whether you approved of their parenting decisions or not. It simply says to honor your father and mother.Ephesians 6:1-3 in The Living Bible says: “Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you. 2 Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God’s Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. 3 And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother,yours will be a long life, full of blessing.”
Fifth, lustful motives closes the windows of heaven to your prayers. James 4:2-3 in the Amplified Bible says: “You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.]You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war.You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. Our motivation in praying will determine whether or not God answers our prayers. The scripture says if we ask with the wrong purpose. . .or evil/selfish motives our prayers will NOT be answered. We will not get what we desire because we desiring the wrong things for the wrong reasons. We must check our hearts. . .and what’s in our heads.Galatians 5:17
“For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
Sixth, unforgiving spirit Some might think. . .this reason is the same as number two about having ought against someone. . .but it’s not. The next two scriptures deal with what’s required for us to receive forgiveness of our sins. . .so it’s much more than God not hearing our prayers it directly affects our receiving eternal life. Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”
Listen to Matthew 6:15 in the Message Bible which says: “You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”
Not only are we to forgive others. . .but we are to show them mercy.
According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for mercy is G1653 and it means: “to have mercy on; to help one afflicted or seeking aid”
Do you need a good reason to be merciful. . .it’s found in Matthew 5:7 in the Amplified Bible which says: “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!”
Seventh,God’s not listening to the prideful James 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says: “But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully).That is why He says,God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).”
Not only does pride come before a fall but God sets Himself against those who are prideful (Proverbs 16:18).
Psalm 10:17 in the Amplified Bible says: “O Lord,You have heard the desire and the longing of the humble and oppressed;You will prepare and strengthen and direct their hearts,You will cause Your ear to hear.”We need to make sure all hindrances are removed when we pray. (HHerring)
