Stumbling Blocks to Our Prayers

Let’s review some of the reasons why prayers may not be answered. These aren’t the only reasons, of course (i.e., God may simply say “No” to your prayer), but they are some of the warnings we find in Scripture. Also, fully understand that “the effective prayer of a righteous man” (Jas 5:16) does not have to be a long-winded, drawn out, and verbose (lengthy) affair, as is often done in a show (spectacle) of public piety—it is written, “Let your words be few” (Ecc 5:2).[1] Many of these items are also addressed in the “Understanding Prayer” and “A Faith Tune-Up” chapters, but I’m including them again here for completeness.

O YE OF LITTLE FAITH

First, have you truly been “born again” according to the instructions we have been given in Scripture (and this includes being properly baptized by immersion as an adult)?[2] Next, are you now living in the Spirit as explained earlier,[3] “abiding in Him [Jesus]” (see 1Jn 2:6, 10, 24, 27–28; 3:6, 9, 17, 24; 4:12–13, 15–16; 2Jn 9; Joh 6:56; 14:20; 15:4–7, 9–10; 17:21) and “He in you [us]” (see Joh 5:38; 6:56; 14:17, 20, 25; 15:4–7, 9–10; 17:21; 2Ti 1:14; 1Jn 2:14, 24, 27–28; 3:24; 4:12–13, 15–16; 2Jn 2; Rom 8:9, 11; 1Co 3:16; Gal 2:20; Eph 2:22)? Don’t hesitate to continually “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2Co 13:5) as you “press on to maturity” (Heb 6:1; cf. Heb 5:11–14; 1Co 14:20; Eph 4:11–16) and as you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18; cf. Col 1:9–12; Heb 6:1; Php 3:12–14). As you learn more (receive more godly wisdom), you will likely see new areas in your faith that could be improved.

IS THERE AN AREA OF UNBELIEF

Remember that the Israelites wandered forty years (instead of forty days) in the Sinai wilderness after being led out of Egypt due to their unbelief (Num 14:26–38; 32:13; cf. Act 7:42; Heb 3:17). Are your prayers unanswered for a long time? Instead of accusing God of not hearing you or not giving you what you are asking for, maybe look for areas where your faith and trust in Him are lacking (2Co 13:5).

YOU ASK BUT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

Related to the prior item, are you asking in full faith and also expecting to receive without doubting? It is written: “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (Jas 1:6).

YOU DON’T HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK

While God sees and knows all things at all times,[4] we must still “ask” (Joh 16:23–24) Him and “make our requests[5] known to God” (see Php 4:6–7; cf. 1Jn 5:15).

YOU ASK WITH THE WRONG MOTIVES

Seek first the kingdom above, not worldly possessions, self-indulgence, wealth, fame, fortune, or a life of luxury; as it is written, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas 4:3).[6]

PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER

Are you giving up too easily? We are to be respectfully persistent with our prayers and requests, not in a rude or demanding fashion but by making our “requests” known to God. This lesson is given to us in the parable of the unjust judge (Luk 18:1–7).

ARE YOU ALSO PRAYING FOR OTHERS

There are many examples of Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church praying and making petitions for others (Act 12:5; Eph 6:18; Rom 1:8–10; 10:1; Col 1:9; 4:2–4; Jas 5:16; 1Ti 2:1; 2Co 1:10–11; 1Th 1:2–3; cf. Joh 17), and we should do likewise. Brother or sister in Christ, have you prayed for someone else today?[7] Even further, have you “loved your enemies and prayed for those who persecute you” today as instructed to by Jesus (see Mat 5:44–45; cf. Luk 6:27, 35; Rom 12:17–21; 1Co 4:12; Pro 25:21–22)?

YOU DISHONOR YOUR WIFE

Here’s one I’m guessing most Christians aren’t aware of: “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered” (1Pe 3:7). To the brothers in Christ who are married, are you treating your wife with love, kindness, respect, honor, dignity, tenderness, gentleness, and understanding? Are you following the example Jesus set for us in how He loved us and gave Himself up for us (1Jn 4:19; Joh 3:16–17; Gal 1:3–5; 2:20; Eph 5:2, 25; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14)? You are to treat your wife in the same manner (Eph 5:25), “for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church” and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:22–31).

YOU ARE NOT OBEDIENT

Obedience to the commandments of Christ and the instructions of His apostles is required for a Christian. Lack of obedience may be a hindrance to your prayers (1Jn 3:22; cf. Joh 14:21, Act 5:32; 1Pe 3:12).

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

A Christian should contribute financially to the work of God (and their local congregation) as led to out of a “cheerful” (glad; 2Co 9:7–15; cf. Mal 3:10; Act 20:35) heart, grateful to the Lord for any material blessings He has bestowed on you (1Co 10:26; Jas 1:17; Eph 3:20; 2Pe 1:11; cf. Luk 12:15–21) but also as you can manage responsibly (1Ti 5:8). A cheerful giver is one who gladly gives to the Lord from “the first fruits of your labors” (emphasis mine, Exo 23:16, 19; Deu 18:4; 2Ch 31:5; Neh 10:35; Heb 7:4; cf. 1Co 15:20–23; Jas 1:18; Rev 14:4) and the best of the flock—not from the last fruits, meager scraps left over, or damaged goods (Mal 1:6–14; 3:6–10).[8]

Now, I fully realize that this is one of the hardest things to do, and I need to do a better job in this area myself. After struggling mightily to earn a paycheck and then seeing the majority of it taken away before we even get it (through taxes, fees, licenses, etc.), we often seem to have little left over for ourselves and our families. But we are to give our best to the Lord. Do we give to Him like the stingy rich people or like the “poor widow” who put in nearly all she had (see Mar 12:41–44)? Further, it is written: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mat 6:19–21; cf. Luk 12:15–21).

I find that the matter of giving also reveals how well you actually do, in fact, “trust in the Lord”[9]—do you really believe the promises He has made to us in Scripture regarding looking after your welfare and your needs (e.g., Mat 6:25–34)? When you hold back, you are, in effect, saying, whether you realize it or not, that you do not trust God or think He is a good provider and, even further, that He doesn’t know your needs (and wants).

Lastly, how people handle their money usually reveals where their true passions and priorities are.

CHAPTER PRAYER

Holy and righteous Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of Your Son on the cross and the forgiveness of my sins through His shed blood. Help me find areas in my faith or Christian walk that I need to improve so I can remove any obstacle to receiving Your blessings. Help me have a clean and humble heart before You at all times, with a constant attitude of gratefulness and praise for all You have done for me. In the most holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

[1] See the chapter “Understanding Prayer.”

[2] See the chapter “The New Testament Plan of Salvation.”

[3] See the chapter “Living in the Spirit.”

[4] See the chapters “Understanding God” and “Trust in the Lord.”

[5] “Prayers,” “petitions,” “supplications” (see Php 4:6–7; 1Jn 5:15; Mat 6:7; Luk 1:13; Eph 6:18; 1Ti 2:1; Heb 5:7; Rev 5:8; 8:3–4; etc.).

[6] See the chapter “Seek the Things Above.”

[7] And I hereby remind myself of this also!

[8] Food for thought: Christ has given everything for you; what have you given to Him? Instead of always praying for something you want, maybe pray to ask Him what you can give to Him.

[9] See the chapters “Living in the Spirit” and “Trust in the Lord” verse references.