Why doesn't God Answer my Prayers?

Are you frustrated that it doesn’t seem like God is ever going to answer your prayers? Have you been praying consistently and wonder why nothing is happening?

This frustration can be very real for anyone but especially the Christian who is trying to be faithful in prayer. It might seem like God is breaking His promises…

And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. – John 14:13-14

…I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. – Luke 11:8

So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you… – Luke 11:9

Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? – Here are the top 5 reasons:

1- Your prayer could be “selfish”

I am sorry it is a harsh word. You may not know it is selfish, or even believe that whatever you desire could possibly be selfish. But, your prayer may only take your personal desires into consideration, and ignore what God’s plan may be, or how anyone else could be affected by your request.

2- The answer to your prayer might not be good for you

As a parent, I have experienced first hand how children beg all the time for things that are not good for them. They don’t know any better and I do not chide them for begging (at least not at first) but that doesn’t mean that I am always going to give them what they think they want just because they are begging.

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. – Matthew 7:11

3- You might need this cross

Usually we like to pray to be rid of crosses.

Lord, fix this problem. Lord, take this sickness… heal my leg, my cancer, my marriage, my relationship with So-and-so, my dog, etc.

but, what if this cross is a gift?

What if there is a lesson that can be learned from it? Maybe a greater good is going to come out of it. Most times, what you are going through right now is exactly what you need to prepare you for whatever unknown blessing that lies ahead.

4- The timing might not be right

Maybe God wants you to have what you are asking for as much as you want it… but maybe you aren’t ready yet.

I’m certainly not going to give my kid a car before they are responsible (and legal) enough to drive it. But, that doesn’t mean that I will never help my growing child get a car.

#patienceinthewaiting #waitingonthelord #patienceisavirtue

5 – God is an amazing parent.

Your Creator knows you. He knows how you tick and what moves you, what motivates you, what inspires you to act, what helps you grow. Love does not allow one to settle for mediocrity, so He gives us whatever we need to grow.

[tweetshare tweet=”A parent’s job isn’t to protect their children – it is to PREPARE their children.” username=”CarolynMPereira”]

He is preparing us for greatness, for a future only He knows. We can reject it. We can choose our own way. But if we do, we go it alone.