If God hears Christian’s prayers, why aren’t they answered?
1.) James 1:6-8 “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” We don’t believe.
2.) James 4:3 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Many times I have had to pray God would help me to get to the place where I could let go of my will (way). Not only does He helps me get on board with His will for my life, but He makes me happy with His will! We can also let someone else's desires (putting them before God), get in the way of God's will for our lives.
3.) Isaiah 59:1-2 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities (sins) have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that He will not hear.” We have to stop doing what is wrong and live the way God wants. Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, selfishness, any habitual sin will all affect how God hears our prayers and how He works in our lives. I like a close fellowship with the Holy Spirit and find it a strong motivator to stay close to Him.
4.) Proverbs 21:13 “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” We have to live generously in a way that reflects His love. Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last=JOY!
5.) John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my word remains in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” We have to live according to His Word with truth, humbleness, love, generosity, forgiveness, kindness, peace, self-control, etc.
6.) Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?” We have idols (things more important than God and His will) in the way. We will not receive His blessing or fellowship unless we are willing to humble (letting go of "self" aka pride) ourselves and do as He leads.
James 3:17 “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
God wants you to be more Christ-like, not more self-like. That means you have to let go of some things and become something/someone else. This can be both a painful and joyful process. It can be especially painful when we hold on to our pride (self) and resist Him. Pride, especially spiritual pride, is very dangerous: I Timothy 3:6 "...he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil."
I Peter 5:5, Proverbs 30:32, Luke 14:7-11, Proverbs 11:2
