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Got Unanswered Prayers??? Oct 1, 2008 2:50 am
Mood: Believing for the answers, 1038 Views
Most people know that prayer should be part of a Christian's life, but sometimes we wonder why our prayers do not seem to be answered. What does the Bible say?

In 1 John 5:14, God promises: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." It is possible to be confident that God hears our prayer. But there is a condition - an "if." He hears us "if we ask according to His will."

When I was first saved, in my ignorance of the things of God, I became resentful that every promise in the Bible comes with certain conditions, certain strings attached, there always seems to be an "if".

What I have come to learn is that God gave us an "Owners Manual". When we buy a new car, it comes with an "Owners Manual". If you want that car to operate the way it was intended, when it was made, you have to follow the guidelines laid out in the manual. Our lives are the same way, if we are to operate the way God intended, when He created us, we have to follow the instructions. His Word is our "Instruction Book" for living. In it, can be found the answers to every question, circumstance, and situation. How can we have confidence in receiving answers to our prayers, if we don't know what His will is? How can we know what His will is, if we don't get out the "Instruction Book" and find out?

There are some things God wills for us to have, but we will not receive them unless we ask. "You have not, because you ask not". There are other things we may think we need, but God knows best what we REALLY need. Our problem is we often think God has not answered our prayers, when He really has given what we needed, but we do not recognize or appreciate it. Too often we attempt to force our will on God and insist that He answer according to our will, not according to His will!

Again, James 5:16 says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." And 1 John 3:22 says: "Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." Yes, God does answer prayer. Prayer "avails much." We will receive what we prayer for. But this promise is only for the righteous, who keep God's commands and do what pleases Him.

Here again are conditions God has placed on our prayers. IF we have never been willing to submit to God and become His children, we can be sure that He will not answer when we call. Proverbs 28:9 says: "One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." This also includes children of God who go back to living to please themselves instead of pleasing God.

Are there sins in your life that you are unwilling to repent of? Don't expect God to serve you, when you refuse to serve God!

Are your prayers "according to your will", and NOT "according to HIS will"? Before you pray, find scriptures that promise the thing you are praying for, and pray those scriptures back to God, because "His Word will not return to Him void."

Is there unforgiveness in your heart towards another? This is another condition for answered prayer. If you have ought against any, repent, and forgive that person, then come back to pray, with confidence, believing that your prayers be answered.

Do you believe you have received, when you pray? This is another instruction for answered prayer. What does your confession have to say about what you're believing for? Are you speaking the facts or circumstances, or are you speaking the Truth? There is a difference.

If you will apply these basic principles to your prayer life, you will begin to see more fruit. If you have met all of the conditions and still have no answer, consider that the answer is there, perhaps you just don't recognize it, or maybe it isn't the answer you are looking for.

Finally, if all conditions are met, and no answer has come, WAIT. We all dislike that part, we want it NOW. But God's timing is perfect. Don't step out in front of God and force things to happen on your own, or you might end up with an Ishmael.

Trust God, He IS faithful, His promises ARE true, but you have to follow all the instructions.
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