Have you ever prayed a prayer that it appeared God was not answering, and you ask the question why? There are many reasons a prayer may not seem to be getting an answer, and I would not attempt to offer a reason for any such specific prayer. But know there are many general factors that may hinder our prayers. One may be un-confessed and un-forsaken sin, James 4:7-10; another could be selfish and lustful reasons for our prayer, James 4:3; Still another, we fail to confess and forgive personal offenses, James 5:16; Mark11:25-26; it could be a lack of persistent and consistent faith, James 1:6; Hebrews 11:6; sometimes there may be a spiritual battle we must press through Daniel 10:12-13; Ephesians 6:12; maybe we are looking for an instant answer but God is saying tomorrow, 2 Kings 7:1,17-20. And the list could go on and on, but our interest today is that God answers prayer. James 5:16 emphasizes that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Then James goes on to present a case study of Elijah, a man with a nature just like ours whose prayer both stopped and started the rain verses 17-18. James 4:7-9 tells us to both submit and draw near to God. By doing this we will put ourselves in a position of becoming modern Elijah’s! Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” And according to 1 John 5:14-15. When we pray according to the boundaries of God’s will (His word is always His will) He hears us and we have the assurance of answered prayer.
Answered prayer
By Rose Hill
Come close to God and draw near,
Ask for His help and do not fear.
Be deeply penitent and even weep,
For those sorry for sin the Lord doth seek.
Humble yourself in the Lord’s presence,
Make up your mind and get off the fence.
When you are determined your Lord to serve,
He will draw near and your prayer will be heard.
Confess your faults before you pray,
And God will hear that very day.
For when a righteous man prays a heartfelt prayer
God will answer and meet him there.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.