Why prayers are not answered…

After USA election results came in, some will rejoice and others will wonder why God did not answer their prayers. Today’s devotional reading offers a simple reason: lack of faith. But this is not the only reason that God does not respond to requests. Several sources group the reasons, such as this example:

• Spiritual sins - doubt, hypocrisy, pride, flippancy etc.
• Poor relationships - rudeness, unforgiveness, malice, anger, wrath, divisiveness.
• Major sin - things categorized as doing evil indicating no faith or walking in the flesh
• Praying amiss - lack of persistence, not fasting, not using Jesus' name etc.

Unconfessed sin is a major reason. When I fall short but fail to agree with God and neglect 1 John 1:9, I cannot assume God will answer me: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) The psalms are filled with verses about God hearing those whose life is righteous.

Lack of faith is also a problem. Hebrews 11 says that people must believe in God and that he rewards those who seek him. If this is my issue, my lack of faith must also be confessed. Since faith comes by hearing the Word, then I need to be diligent in reading it! The lack of Scriptural knowledge has done more damage to prayer than anything in the church. As Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Poor relationships cover a wide spectrum, mostly obvious. One is plainly stated but often ignored:

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

I’m not a husband, but as the “likewise” in this passage points out, I have a responsibility to be respectful with a gentle and quiet spirit, paying attention to my hubby’s leadership. While this is not a popular teaching, doing what God says in my marriage makes a huge difference in my prayer life too.

Of course God isn’t hearing prayers if major sin is present. His priority is my obedient faithfulness to walk in the Spirit and demonstrate the life of Christ to those around me. If not, my prayers are not at the top of His list. He is going to deal with my sin first, either by exposure, trials, or conviction. I better listen if I want Him to listen. My behavior is God’s priority.

I can pray wrongly too. One obvious example is not praying at all. James 4:2 says, "You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.” This passage goes on to add another: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.” God isn’t interested in granting me my selfish I-wants or prayers that come from the wrong side of being double-minded.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

If faith is right, and my life is right, and I’m keeping short accounts, then delays are not necessarily a denial of the request. God's timetable may be different from mine. I know He is more invested in the outcomes than I am. An example from Jesus: If an unjust judge would answer the request of an unconnected widow, how much more will a loving, righteous, generous God hear the prayers of His chosen ones. God is my heavenly Father. I are not coming before a tyrant; I are coming before a friend who is also my heavenly Father. 

Jesus also said, "Ask, and it will be given. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened." He reminds me that a good father knows how to give good gifts to their children. How much more does God love to bestow the Holy Spirit on those who ask? Being filled with the Spirit in my praying is vital. It begins with confession and is followed by obedience:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

This is the passion that comes from loving the Lord, my God, with all my heart, mind, and soul —  and praying with fervent trust in what God will do.

PRAY: Jesus, as I go to prayer today, may I speak to You in demonstration of complete faith and total trust — and in the power and zeal of the Holy Spirit. May You grant me the words to say and eagerness to look forward to Your responses, even exceedingly above all I can ask or imagine.  

Messengers of Peace

 

Last night’s small group study in Joshua focused on the time when the Israelites returned to the east side of the Jordan river to live after Joshua led all the tribes to victory. Those who stayed in the conquered territory became angry and wanted to go to war with the other three. Their anger was not about the move but that they had built an altar and this was against the will of God. The issue was settled peacefully, but someone noticed that Joshua was not mentioned and wondered why their leader did not deal with this conflict.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Was Joshua neglecting his duty? Or did he decide to stay out of it and let them figure it out for themselves? Why was he not involved? Since Joshua is a type of Christ, does this say something to us about conflict in the church?

Today’s devotional says that God’s people are messengers of peace with two main responsibilities. One is to help others make peace with God. We do this by sharing the Gospel with them and by praying for them. Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!”

MacArthur says our second responsibility is to help reconcile believers to one another. While the Bible tells the dangers of conflict between people, I’m not able to recall verses that tell a third party to intervene. First, the danger of conflicts:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23–24)

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

If I am involved in a conflict, my communion with God is blocked. Conflict is about seeking or having my own way. It is not an issue if my heart is set to love God and love others.

However, what do I do with disputes that do not involve me? Moses did act as a judge and representing the Law. However, Acts 7 tells how his actions in Egypt were misunderstood. A person who wronged his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” Perhaps Joshua stepped back for that reason. He didn’t see himself in that role or did not want that role.

 Much later, Jesus was speaking when a man said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” He replied, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:13–14) Another passage says this:

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. (Romans 2:1)

Who am I to determine right and wrong between other people? I am a sinner too. Also, in the past, I’ve had people come to me with complaints against another person. I’ve told them to talk to the other person and to God; I’m not their advocate. Sometimes I’ve pointed them to their responsibility to forgive, but refuse to decide who is guilty and who is innocent. For one thing, in most disputes, all are guilty of something.

Besides, is it up to me to defend one side against the other? I can point people to godly principles, but never say negative things about either person, especially because I don’t know the whole story. I can bring them together and ask them to deal with it in a biblical way, but only God can know their hearts and change their thinking.

I’m warned not to avoid spiritual conflicts, but instead speak the truth in love, whether it is the Gospel needed, or a gracious word about resolving differences and forgiveness. Yet I need to keep my own heart out of it, never taking sides but seeking justice, the glory of God, and humbly pursuing His peace.

Jesus, I’m thankful that conflict in my church is so rare that no one hears much about it and that Your peace is so lovely that no one wants to lose it. I know that if You call me to be a peacemaker, my own heart must be at peace. Far better to focus on who You are and what You are doing than getting involved in any friction — unless You specifically tell me to do so. Keep me listening. Also, grant me whatever I need to share God’s peace with those who do not know Christ. Enable me to guard my own heart.

REMEMBER: 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 tells me I am a citizen of heaven and God’s ambassador, here to tell others how they can be reconciled to God through faith in Christ and His sacrifice for all. Being reconciled to God goes a long way toward eliminating conflict.