8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Go Unanswered

Last updated on: November 14, 2019 at 4:43 am by Josh Daffern

8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Go Unanswered 2019-11-14T04:43:39-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Aaron Burden

There’s nothing more challenging to your prayer life than unanswered prayer. Why do our prayers go unanswered? Does God not care? Is he too weak to answer all of our prayers? Or is it something else?

Here are eight biblical reasons why our prayers may go unanswered:

1. We don’t ask. I know this seems simplistic, but many of our prayers simply go unasked. “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” James 4:2

2. Praying for selfish reasons. This knocks out a lot of our prayers. You can pray for $1 million all you want. Probably not going to happen. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3

3. Sin in your life. Habitual sin can create a barrier between us and God, hindering our prayers. Keep a short confession list with God. “If I had cherished sin in my heart,  the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18 “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,  even his prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9

4. Broken relationships in your life. Our relationship with God and our relationship with others are intrinsically linked. One always affects the others. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7

5. Lack of persistence. This may be the number one killer. Many of us simply give up too easily. ***“*Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

6. Spiritual warfare. Whether we want to admit it or not, spiritual warfare is a reality. ***“*Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.” Daniel 10:12-13

7. God’s timing. We may be willing to settle for ‘good enough’ right now, while God is waiting for ‘best’ around the corner. Trust in his timing. “There is a time for everything,  and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

8. Love. Sometimes, we ask for things that will hurt us in the long run, and the most gracious thing God could do is leave our prayers unanswered. Garth Brooks got it right when he sang his song, “Unanswered Prayers.” “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Previous Post

February 6, 2013

The $15 Million Super Bowl Commercial

Next Post

February 8, 2013 7 Reasons Why Your Marriage is Struggling (Repost)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many times does the Bible mention the word "love"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

500 Over 300 100 700