WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?

Why are the prayers of some answered... Read Proverbs 15:29 and James 5:16?

Reason to ponder : UNFORGIVENESS

Mark 11: 25 - Whenever you stand praying, FORGIVE, if you have anything against anyone...
Mathew 5:24 says...  first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

The prayer even of the most intense faith is not perfect, unless the temper of the worshipper is also that of charity which forgives the offences of others. It reminds us that forgiveness is necessary to the acceptance of all prayers, more so when great things are to be asked and confidently expected.

PRAYER WITH FORGIVENESS IS A BIG PART OF MEDICAL CARE.
Proverbs 15:29 & James 5:16?

Reason to ponder : UNCONFESSED SIN

Psalm 66:18 - If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Though we may refrain from the gross practice, Sin, regarded in the heart, will spoil the comfort and success of prayer. The idea is, that in order that prayer may be heard, there must be a purpose to forsake ALL FORMS of sin. This is a great and the most important principle in regard to prayer. All prayers, to be acceptable to God, must be connected with a purpose to forsake all sin.

DAILY PRAYERS ARE THE BEST REMEDY FOR DAILY CARES.

WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?
Read Proverbs 15:29 and James 5:16

Reason to ponder :  SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Luke 18: 11 - God, I thank you that I am not like other people... (his prayers were not pleasing to God - read the parable).
Luke 16: 15 - You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.

Self-righteousness is not just an inflated view of self, but it is coupled with a view of others as inferior.. The self-righteous proclaim that they are righteous and that everything they say and do is right. They will find no fault with themselves and they will reject any suggestion by others that they have faults.. that's why they shout and defend themselves.

SEE THE TRUTH in Romans 2: 5-6 - But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. For he will repay according to each one's deeds.

THE WORST TYPE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS :-  Thinking & claiming to be not self-righteous at all.


WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?

Reason : PRIDE OR LACK OF HUMILITY

2Chronicles 7: 14 - if my people who are called by my name HUMBLE themselves, pray, seek my face, AND turn from their wicked ways, then I WILL hear from heaven, and WILL forgive their sin AND HEAL...

Pride is concerned with WHO is right; Humility is concerned with WHAT is right... A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Prov 29:23)

PRACTICE HUMILITY - Speak as little as possible of one's self.  Accept contradictions and CORRECTIONS cheerfully. Accept insults and injuries. Accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. OVERLOOK the mistakes of others. Be kind and GENTLE even under provocation. NEVER RAISE YOUR VOICE. Never stand on your dignity. BE HUMBLE OR YOU WILL STUMBLE.

THREE PRECIOUS QUALITIES TO POSSES : Humility; Frugality; Gentleness.

WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?

Reason : PRAYING ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL & NOT GOD'S WILL

1John 5:14-15 - And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.

The Word of God shows us His revealed will and what things we may lawfully ask and so, he hears us — He not only takes notice of our petitions, but favourably regards them. God does not hear in vain... BUT He watches over His Word to perform it... So, pray & ask according to His Word. (Jer 1:12;;  Isaiah 55:10-11).

God's help is only a prayer away, if you keep sin away! (Isaiah 1:15-16;;  59:1-2)
WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?

Reason : DISRESPECT & STRIFE BETWEEN HUSBAND & WIFE

1Peter 3: 5-7 - It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord... Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the  weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life — SO THAT NOTHING MAY HINDER YOUR PRAYERS.

Prayer is often "hindered" by one's temper, and the bickerings and strifes that exist in families.

No outward splendor, no costly furniture, no gilded equipment, no servants, no wine, or music, or dances, can secure happiness in a dwelling.

There is a simple and easy way of being happy in the family... It is to allow the spirit of Christ and his gospel to reign there.

SCREAMING & SHOUTING DOESN’T MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT VALID; IT JUST TELLS THE OTHERS THAT YOU HAVE LOST YOUR CLASS AND CONTROL. 🙌

Reason : BEING A DOUBTER

James 1: 8 - for the doubter, being doubleminded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Unsteadiness in our words and actions cannot please God. A doubter does not call upon God in truth, or in the sincerity of his soul; but draws near to him with his mouth, and honours Him with his lips, but his heart is far from him. (Mt 15:8).. do not approach him with a divided mind (Sirach - Ecclesiasticus 1:28)... “doubting” is the halting between belief and unbelief, with inclination towards the latter.

DOUBTS ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD SPRING FROM AN EVIL HABIT OF NIT-PICKING CRITICISM AND SELF-OPINION…BEWARE, ONE MUST BEAR THE CURSE OF ITS RESULTS.

YOU CAN'T WALK WITH GOD HOLDING HANDS WITH THE DEVIL. 🙌

Reason : LACK OF FAITH

Hebrews 11: 6 - And without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, for whoever would approach him MUST BELIEVE that he exists and that HE REWARDS those who seek him.

The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Mathew 17: 19-20 - "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith".

LET US PRACTICE --  Mark 11:24 - So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED IT, and it will be yours.

WE CALL OURSELVES CHRISTIANS; LET US BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, AND RIGID IN QUESTIONING OUR THOUGHTS... DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME OR DESIRE FOR GOD? 🙌

Reason : PRAYING WITH WRONG MOTIVE

James 4:3 - You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

It is not uncommon for people to seek the services of others to pray for them... for their worldly achievements.. 

They pray for success in their careers, studies, etc., though those engagements are all based on covetousness and they do not glorify God or do good to others with their success; they desire success &  prosperity so that they may live in splendor, and be able to pamper their pleasures.

MOTIVES ARE THE INHERENT REASONS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO, AND GOD WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR MOTIVES MORE THAN YOUR ACTIONS. (Prov 16:2; 21: 2)

Reason : WE DON'T ABIDE IN GOD & HIS WORDS DO NOT ABIDE IN US.

John 15:7  - If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Only when we live by faith in him, and his words are allowed to control our conduct and activities, that our prayers will be heard.

Proverbs 28: 9 says, "WHEN ONE WILL NOT LISTEN TO THE LAW, EVEN ONE'S PRAYERS ARE AN ABOMINATION"... God will abhor and reject such a person and all his prayers & services. If we live like heathens, or infidels, our prayers are an affront to his majesty, and our praises insult his glory.

GOD SEES PARTIAL OBEDIENCE AS COMPLETE DISOBEDIENCE (Rev 3: 16; James 2:10)

Reason : NO AGREEMENT AMONG PEOPLE PRAYING 

Mt 18: 19 - Again, truly I tell you, IF TWO OF YOU AGREE on earth about anything you ask, IT WILL BE DONE for you by my Father in heaven.

God gives special heed to the JOINT intercessions of all Christians. Two of you, even the smallest number that could agree... SPOUSES, BE IN COMPLETE ACCORD...

Thus the Lord rewards those UNITED together to offer up some definite intention with AGREEMENT... have the same mind, feelings, and opinion... PRAYING WITH EMOTIONAL DISAGREEMENT & STRIFE IS FUTILE.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "SILENCE MEANING AGREEMENT" AND BEING SILENCED INTO AGREEMENT.

Reason :  NOT HELPING THE POOR

Prov 21:13 - If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.

The implied sense is, that the one who does not help the poor, shall be brought into similar distressing circumstances and when he prays to God, or asks his brethren for relief and assistance, he shall not be heard;  the same measure shall be measured to him (Luke 6: 38)...

RUDENESS IS THE WEAK PERSON'S IMITATION OF STRENGTH...

Reason : NOT PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

John 16: 23-24 –  Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything OF THE FATHER IN MY NAME, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

It is through Christ and on the lines of His work, all God’s activity towards man and all man’s prayer to God are to proceed, because God is well pleased in Him. To ask in Christ's name, is to plead his merit, his power and intercession, and to depend upon that plea.

IF IN MY NAME YOU ASK ME FOR ANYTHING, I WILL DO IT. (John 14:14) (Read John 10:30)

Reason : TO KEEP US FROM BEING TOO ELATED & TO KNOW THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENOUGH

2 Cor. 12:7-9  -- Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."

The grace that will be imparted if the calamity is not removed will be of greater value to the individual than would be the direct answer to his prayer. The removal of the calamity might be apparently a blessing, but it might also be attendant with danger to our spiritual welfare; the grace imparted may be of permanent value and may be connected with the development of some of the best traits of Christian character... if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain!

Troubles are allowed to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he sometimes denies in love to fulfil His greater purposes… spiritual burdens are allowed to cure spiritual pride.

REMEMBER, PRAYER IS THE REMEDY FOR EVERY MALADY !
AND FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME FOR EVERY MATTER UNDER HEAVEN (Eccl 3:1)

We wind up the series - BUT BEING AN IMPORTANT TOPIC,
LET US RECAP THE NUGGETS & CHANGE OUR LIFESTYLE.

WHY ARE THE PRAYERS OF SOME PEOPLE NOT ANSWERED?

Reason: UNFORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is necessary to the acceptance of all prayers, more so when great things are to be asked and confidently expected.

PRAYER WITH FORGIVENESS IS A BIG PART OF MEDICAL CARE.
Reason: UNCONFESSED SIN

UNCONFESSED SIN & UNFORGIVENESS CAN CAUSE SICKNESS (Ps 32:3-5)
In order that prayer may be heard, forsake ALL FORMS of sin. (Read 1Thes 5:22)

DAILY PRAYERS ARE THE BEST REMEDY FOR DAILY CARES.

Reason: SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

The self-righteous proclaim that they are righteous and that everything they say and do is right...they shout and scream to defend themselves.

SEE THE TRUTH in Romans 2: 5-6 - But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath...

THE WORST TYPE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS :-  Thinking & claiming to be NOT self-righteous at all.

Reason: PRIDE OR LACK OF HUMILITY

PRACTICE HUMILITY - Speak as little as possible of one's self.  Accept contradictions and CORRECTIONS cheerfully. Accept insults and injuries. Accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. OVERLOOK the mistakes of others. Be kind and GENTLE even under provocation. NEVER RAISE YOUR VOICE. Never stand on your dignity. BE HUMBLE OR YOU WILL STUMBLE.

THREE PRECIOUS QUALITIES TO POSSES : Humility; Frugality; Gentleness.

Reason: PRAYING ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL & NOT GOD'S WILL

God not only takes notice of our petitions, but favourably regards them. God does not hear in vain... BUT He watches over His Word to perform it... So, pray & ask according to His Word. (Jer 1:12;;  Isaiah 55:10-11).

God's help is only a prayer away, if you keep sin away! (Isaiah 1:15-16;;  59:1-2)

Reason: STRIFE BETWEEN HUSBAND & WIFE

Prayer is often "hindered" by one's temper, and the bickerings and strifes that exist in families... Allow the spirit of Christ and his gospel to reign...

SCREAMING & SHOUTING DOESN’T MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT VALID; IT JUST TELLS THE OTHERS THAT YOU HAVE LOST YOUR CLASS AND CONTROL.

Reason : BEING A DOUBTER
James 1: 8; Sirach - Ecclesiasticus 1:28.

DOUBTS ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD SPRING FROM AN EVIL HABIT OF NIT-PICKING CRITICISM AND SELF-OPINION…BEWARE, ONE MUST BEAR THE CURSE OF ITS RESULTS.

YOU CAN'T WALK WITH GOD HOLDING HANDS WITH THE DEVIL.

Reason : LACK OF FAITH IN GOD AND HIS ABILITIES

The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Without faith, we can't please God (Heb 11:6).

WE CALL OURSELVES CHRISTIANS... DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME OR DESIRE FOR GOD?

Reason :  PRAYING WITH WRONG MOTIVE

People pray for success in their careers, studies, etc., though such things are all based on covetousness... they do not glorify God or do good to others with or after their success; they desire success &  prosperity so that they may live in splendor, and be able to pamper their own pleasures.

GOD WILL JUDGE US BY OUR MOTIVES MORE THAN OUR ACTIONS. (Prov 16:2; 21: 2) \

Reason : WE DON'T ABIDE IN GOD & HIS WORDS DO NOT ABIDE IN US. Jn 15:7

Prov 28: 9 -  "WHEN ONE WILL NOT LISTEN TO THE LAW, EVEN ONE'S PRAYERS ARE AN ABOMINATION". If we live like heathens, or infidels, our prayers are an affront to God's majesty, and our praises insult his glory.

GOD SEES PARTIAL OBEDIENCE AS COMPLETE DISOBEDIENCE (Rev 3: 16; James 2:10)

Reason : NO AGREEMENT AMONG THE PEOPLE PRAYING  (Mt 18: 19)

God gives special heed to even two of you, the smallest number that could agree... SPOUSES, BE IN COMPLETE ACCORD...  have the same mind, feelings, and opinion... PRAYING WITH DISAGREEMENT & STRIFE IS FUTILE.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "SILENCE MEANING AGREEMENT" AND BEING SILENCED INTO AGREEMENT.

Reason :  NOT HELPING THE POOR (Prov 21:13)

The implied sense is, that the one who does not help the poor, shall be brought into similar distressing circumstances and when he prays to God, or asks his brethren for relief and assistance, he shall not be heard...

RUDENESS IS THE WEAK PERSON'S IMITATION OF STRENGTH...
JUDGMENT WILL BE WITHOUT MERCY TO ANYONE WHO HAS SHOWN NO MERCY (James 2:13)

Reason : NOT PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS (Jn 16: 23-24)

It is through Christ and on the lines of His work, all God’s activity towards man and all man’s prayer to God are to proceed, because God is well pleased in Him.

IF IN MY NAME YOU ASK ME FOR ANYTHING, I WILL DO IT. (John 14:14)

Reason : TO KEEP US FROM BEING TOO ELATED & TO KNOW THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENOUGH (2 Cor. 12:7-9)

The grace that will be imparted if the calamity is not removed will be of greater value to the individual than would be the direct answer to his prayer and may be connected with the development of some of the best traits of Christian character.

Troubles are allowed to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue in prayer. BURDENS ARE ALLOWED TO CURE PRIDE_.
FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME FOR EVERY MATTER UNDER HEAVEN (Eccl 3:1)