Why God Doesn't Respond to Prayer

Some of the reasons that your prayers may not be getting answered.

[Watch the Video]

Scriptures:

• Philippians 2:12-13
• Ephesians 3:20
• James 4:3
• 1 John 5:14-15
• Matthew 7:11
• Proverbs 28:9
• Daniel 3:16-18
• 1 Peter 3:7
• Psalms 66:18
• ‭‭John‬ ‭9:31‬
• James 1:5-8
• Hebrews 11:6
• Isaiah 58: 6-9
• ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:10-12‬
• Matthew 6:12-14

Outline:

• Introduction
• The Answer is Wait
• You Already Got an Acorn
• God is Changing You
• God Has Something Better Planned
• Wrong Motives
• Opposite of God's Will
• Disregard for the Word
• Praying to the Wrong God
• Marital Conflict
• Sin
• Doubt
• You're Not Helping Others
• Unforgiveness
• Conclusion

Introduction

Hearing From God

The greatest feeling is when prayers are answered supernaturally

—Francis Chan

• not a coincidence
• not just the answer
• someone is listening to you

makes your faith “real” to you

Example: my father didn’t exist

• I grew up with him

gives us a GPS to navigate through life

Review

God responds in 5 ways

1. Yes
2. No
3. Wait
4. Confirmation / Direction / Clarity
5. Silence

Why God Doesn’t Respond to Prayer

Cell Phone Reception

There are some places where a cell phone doesn’t work

Example: my house

• Going in garage
• Same with God

We will look at reasons why God may be silent...

The Answer is Wait

• It’s coming

God gave you a seed

• A dream
• A desire
• A hope for healing
• A hope for provision

Faith can be like planting a seed

• Sowing
• Reaping
• Waiting

Sowing a seed means releasing it

• It’s out of my hands
• I need to let go of my agenda
• Let God lead

You Already Got an Acorn

You asked for an oak tree and God gave you an acorn

God already answered you

• It just doesn’t look the way you were expected

God gave you the seed of the dream

• But He expects you to water it
• He expects you to prune the bush
• He expects you to fertilize it

Example: layoff -> diabetes

• time

God is Changing You

Philippians 2:12-13

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

• The seed sprouts and grows because of the work of the soil
• If the soil isn’t right the seed won’t grow
• The soil is our heart
• God can change the soil after the seed has been planted

You Weren’t Ready Yet

You might not be ready for it when you ask

Exhaust your options

The Seed is Growing Underground

Just like the seed

The struggle could be changing your perspective or your priorities

You know God is working in you not because you don’t sin but because you struggle to sin

• The fact that you have a desire to do good means God is working in you

God Has Something Better Planned

Ephesians 3:20

 20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us

• He has more than we asked for awaiting

It was technically a “no” 

Example: Jesus and the teddy bear

Because He is good and knows what’s eternally best for us, and doesn’t want us to settle, God sometimes says no or closes a door because He has something better for us that we haven’t even thought to ask for. He is One who can do “immeasurably more” than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Trust His timing. Trust His “no.” And trust His idea of what is eternally best for you. He really is a good father.

Example: when job hunting

• Start to creatively interpret the job description
• Couldn’t get a job in my expertise so why do I think I can in another area?
• God said to stop

But I eventually got a call from a friend

Example: dating

• Same
• “She travels a lot for work so she always near bibles”

** stories **

Wrong Motives

James 4:3

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Example: You want a spouse

• Treated like a queen
• Vs help meet

Genesis 2:20 “for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him”

Should be:

• Help fulfil God’s purpose - strengthen the church
• “Building the Kingdom”

Opposite of God’s Will

1 John 5:14-15

14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Example:  asking for promotion or boss treat you better

• Should be a missionary 

How to Know God’s Will

• You find His will in His word
• Hearing from God

God’s idea of a “good thing” might be different than yours

Matthew 7:11

11“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Example: giving a little buy a BB gun

• He will shoot his eye out

You might be praying for a husband, a job you’ve been hoping for, or to win the lottery. Why would God not give you any or all of the three? Because even though you might feel it’s good for you to be married, or to be working in a job you like, or to have more money, God’s opinion might differ.

Just because we think something will make us happy doesn’t mean it’s good for us in God’s eyes. 

• You might be asking for a job that will distract you from your mate
• You might be asking for a mate that will distract you from your calling

You may be incorrectly prioritizing your desires

You priorities your desires

• You want a short commute, but you want a house
• You want to save money, but you want to look cool
• You want to tithe 10%, but you don’t want a roommate
• You want more sleep, but you want to see what happens on your tv show
• You want a 6 pack, but you have a sweet tooth
• You want a good marriage but you have a sweet tooth
• You want a good husband but sometimes you get lonely

God's  Priorities

God answers prayer according to His will.  But just like us, the desires are not all equal.

God has a will too, but not all aspects of His will are of equal priority. For example:

1. Keep His Word
2. Free Will
3. God’s glory
4. Your Desires

Your desires don’t necessarily trump of God’s other priorities

You Chose Wrong Path

Your desires could be out of synch with your free will

• What you’re doing won’t get you what you want

Disregard for the Word

Proverbs 28:9

He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

• Not just sinning, but you won’t listen

You have created a stronghold that is against God’s word

• ideology
• paradigm

Example:

• The bible is outdated

• That was a different culture
• Same sex abomination thing is discrimination (love is love)
• That stuff about women being submissive doesn’t apply now

• There are multiple paths to Heaven
• Political ideologies

Praying to the Wrong God

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.

17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

• Faith says: “God can” not “God has to”

Doctrines / paradigm

• If I have faith God will give me whatever I want
• If I do good, bad things won’t happen to me
• If I’m good, God owes me a reward

Some of the problems we have with prayer arise out of a wrong understanding of God. The better we know the God in the Scriptures, the better we will understand how to pray—and why God responds to prayer as He does.

Marital Conflict

1 Peter 3:7

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.

Biblical Relationship Wisdom

• Men love your wife
• Women respect your husband

Oxytocin

• Lowers women’s stress
• Increases their happiness

Talking about issues raises men’s stress

• Testosterone turns to estrogen

Sin

Sinful Plans

Psalms 66:18-19

18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,

The Lord will not hear;

19 But certainly God has heard;

He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

• Imagine it
• ^think it’s ok

Regard (ra'ah)

• to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

Thought -> feeling -> act -> habit -> lifestyle-> destiny

Guilt and Shame

• Planned sin
• Guilt
• Doubt that God hears you

Committing Sin

‭‭John‬ ‭9:31‬

“We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.”

Sin no longer completely separates us from God

• We can’t have the type of relationship Adam had

• God is a trinity
• No sin will remove the Holy Spirit from within us

Impacts Your Relationship

It affects your relationship

Example: kid breaking the window

• Don’t get punished (grace)
• Ask for a new bike
• Didn’t even acknowledge the broken window
• Still a son, but relationship is strained

Doubt

James 1:5-8

5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But 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. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Wisdom

• You need wisdom to make decisions
• You need wisdom when you don’t hear from God

Doubt

• If you doubt you won’t receive anything

 Hebrews 11:6

6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

1. Faith that God exists
2. Faith that God rewards those who seek Him

waiting to punish you 

How do you know God exists

1. Faith - belief
2. Rational / logical
3. Experience

• Hear from God
• Supernatural experience
• Testimony

Testimony

• Angels
• why you believe in God
• Conversion experience

Story: Chinese Hindu

• Raising kids Christian

You’re Not Helping Others

Isaiah 58: 6-9

      6“Is this not the fast which I choose,

            To loosen the bonds of wickedness,

            To undo the bands of the yoke,

            And to let the oppressed go free

            And break every yoke?

      7“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry

            And bring the homeless poor into the house;

            When you see the naked, to cover him;

            And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

      8“Then your light will break out like the dawn,

            And your recovery will speedily spring forth;

            And your righteousness will go before you;

            The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

      9“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

            You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

            If you remove the yoke from your midst,

            The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

He is asking us to be the hands and feet of Jesus

This is the ultimate test of our Christianity

• Loving your neighbor as yourself

You’re an unbeliever

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:10-12‬

10 For,

“THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,

MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.

11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;

HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,

AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,

BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”

The only prayer an unbeliever may be assured God will answer—and answer immediately—is a prayer of faith and acceptance of His Son, who died on the cross and rose again, as the basis for the forgiveness of your sins.

‭‭

Unforgiveness

Matthew 6:12-14

12 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass

 against us.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

• If you don’t forgive then your sins are forgiven
• That push you in the same category as an unbeliever

Conclusion

You Don’t Always Know Why

African Burrito Girl Story

You may not have a testimony, but...

You are a testimony

Instructor: Michael Leadon

References 

Why isn’t God answering my prayers

https://youtu.be/RLfc5Mbn7kY

Can You Hear me Now

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/5-reasons-why-god-isn-t-answering-your-prayers.html

5 REASONS GOD DOESN’T ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS

https://waynestiles.com/5-reasons-god-doesnt-answer-your-prayers/

When God Doesn't Listen by Francis Chan

https://youtu.be/TLuVeQVwZUA

What to Do when is seems like God Doesn’t Respond

https://youtu.be/4_0G1-hS1QY

5 Reasons God Doesn't Answer Your Prayers

https://waynestiles.com/5-reasons-god-doesnt-answer-your-prayers/

Extra

You’re An Unbeliever

Proverbs‬ ‭15:8-9‬ ‭NASB‬‬

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.”

Trials That Build Faith

Why do bad things happen to good people?   How does God prepare us for our destiny?

Scriptures:

• James 1:2-4
• 1 Samuel 16:11-13
• 1 Samuel 19:9-10
• Matthew 3:16 - Matthew 4:1
• Psalms 105:17-21
• 1 Peter 5:10

In this lesson we’ll study:

• Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Does God cause bad things to happen to us?
• Does God use Satan to achieve His plans?
• Why do we go through trials?
• How does God strengthen our faith?
• How does God prepare us for our destiny?

Life is a progressive strengthening of your faith in different areas.  

We will examine one of the methods that God uses to strengthen our faith.

We will examine one scenario that shows us:

• How God builds our faith
• When God builds our faith

James 1:2-4

2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• Do you consider it joy when you go through trials?
• Why should/would we?
• It produces endurance/patience
• It perfects us
• It completes what is lacking
• It strengthens our faith

Example: spoiled children

How does God strengthen our faith?

• Answering prayer
• Miracles / Signs
• Making His presence known
• Trials

Example: stop looking for work when laid off

God’s Character

It's important to understand God's character

• When we don't understand how God works, we misinterpret Him
• We use our own definition  of what is “right” or “fair”
• When something happens contrary to our doctrine we end up losing faith in God
• Something is wrong with ourselves
• Something is wrong with God
• One of the enemy's best tricks is to give us a flawed expectation of God to disappoints us
• Example:  The Santa Clause doctrine
• We get a false expectation about God
• We expect something from God that we don’t get

When we expect something from God and He doesn’t deliver it, it weakens our faith  

Why Do We Have Trials?

People go to extremes:

• God causes everything
• Satan causes everything
• It's because you are a sinner

Some say  “God allowed it”

• What does this mean?
• It doesn't mean He is in agreement with it
• That is often used to avoids the questions of did God want it to happen, or was it His will?
• Think about your biggest sin
• Was it God’s will?

5 Reasons why bad things happen

1. Caused by Satan (or demons)
1. You are tempted with an ungodly option
2. Not initiated by God
3. The goal is to make you sin or separate you from God
4. Example: the Garden of Eden
2. To bring you back to God
1. For your protection
2. God doesn't give you something you want because he sees that it won't be beneficial or will keep you from your destiny
3. God gave you a blessing, but it took you away from God instead of bringing you closer to him
1. You worshiped the blessing
2. You were not mature enough to handle the blessing
3. So it was taken from you for your own good
4. You were abusing (abnormal use) it
4. You interpret it as a trial
5. Example: Job promotion that draws you away from God
3. Sowing and Reaping
1. The natural consequence of some action we commit
2. You brought it on yourself
3. There was no divine intervention
4. Example. Leave $1,000 in the car seat with window down
4. God is testing you
1. “Revealing your heart”
2. You're going through something to take you somewhere else
3. It's part of the process of taking you from where you are to where you need to be
4. It's meant to change you (e.g. faith, character)
5. It's initiated by God
6. We will look at some biblical examples
5. Other people's free will

What this tells us is:

• You can be suffering when you didn't do anything wrong
• All suffering is not a result of disobedience
• All suffering is not punishment from God
• All suffering is not from Satan

Preparing You For Your Destiny

Sometimes we think we're doing God’s will because you are doing the will of:

• Your parents
• Society
• Your co-workers
• Your church
• Your friends
• Your spouse

You need to ask God

You are ready to step into your destiny after you’ve decided to do whatever God tells you to do.

• Not following your own dreams
• Not seeking your own goals
• Not saying “tell me what you want me to do first and then I’ll decide if that’s for me”
• Not leaning on your own understanding
• It’s saying yes first

After you’ve surrendered to God, He will start preparing you

• He will build your faith

• This is sometimes done through trials or tests
• Passing the test prepares you for the new assignment that God has given you

• It is a pruning process

It's called “going through the wilderness”

David's Test

We see this exemplified with young David.  God anointed him as king (the promise), but David did not receive the kingdom immediately.  He had to go through the wilderness first.

David’s Promise

1 Samuel 16:11-13

11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and [d]bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

God Can Use Anyone

• David's father didn't even consider David a viable candidate
• David didn’t have the world’s qualifications
• We assume God is using the same qualifications that we are
• Who in the bible fit our criteria for who God would choose?
• Moses was a murderer
• David was an adulterer
• The disciples hadn't gone to seminary
• They weren't experts in the law
• Rahab was a prostitute
• Jesus is descended from a prostitute
• Some preachers try to claim she wasn’t one
• They are using their own criteria

David Got Persecuted

• David didn't receive his promise immediately

1 Samuel 19:9-10

9But an evil [harmful] spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

• God caused Saul to persecute David
• God used an evil spirit for the test
• That was part of David’s test

David had to flee to the wilderness

• David was tested in the wilderness

Did God send an evil spirit?

• Some say no “God allowed it”, but didn’t send it
• Some say he sent it as punishment for Saul’s defiance of Him

...what does the bible say?

It's better to say “we don't understand” than to make up something that fits our theology

Again, God will use whoever or whatever He chooses to accomplish His will

But would God really use Satan? ...

Jesus

Jesus in the Wilderness

Why did Jesus go into the wilderness?

Matthew 3:16 - Matthew 4:1

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4:1

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[peirazó] by the devil.

• The baptism marked the start of Jesus’ ministry
• What was the first thing Jesus did after this event?
• Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit
• God sent Jesus to the wilderness to be tested
• The devil was part of that process

peirazó: to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt

to try, make trial of, test: τινα,

• for the purpose of ascertaining your quality, or what you think, or how you will behave yourself

This is God’s method

Joseph

Joseph was tested after he got a promise from the Lord.

Joseph's story:

• Joseph had a dream
• Sold into slavery
• Bought by Potiphar
• Joseph sent to jail
• Pharaoh had a dream
• Joseph predicts the famine
• Joseph put in charge of the palace
• The Israelites came to Egypt to escape the famine
• Joseph ruled over the Israelites
• Joseph showed favor for the Israelites

Psalms 105:17-21

    17He sent a man before them,
           Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
     18They afflicted his feet with fetters,
           He himself was laid in irons;
     19Until the time that his word came to pass,
           The word of the LORD tested[tsaraph] him.
     20The king sent and released him,
           The ruler of peoples, and set him free.
     21He made him lord of his house
           And ruler over all his possessions,

The Word Tested Him

• “The word of the Lord tested him”
• The promise that Joseph would rule over his brothers tested him
• Joseph became ruler and received the promise after the test
• Joseph was sent to Egypt for Israel’s sake

Tsaraph = to smelt, refine, test

• Like gold
• This is how you purify gold

Joseph had to go through the purification process

Trials purify us

God Can Use Anyone

God used an evil king to develop Joseph’s faith

God used Potiphar's wife

What to Do When We’re Tested

• Cling to the promise  
• Don’t doubt God
• Don’t focus on your current circumstances
• Wait with anticipation
• Worship God while you wait

Being able to worship God while you’re in a trial is a sign of a mature Christian

Conclusion

Sometimes it takes adversity to push us where we need to go.  Sometimes we get so comfortable in the path that we have chosen that it takes a major disruption to get us out of that lifestyle.

Being in the wilderness is a time of preparation, and of proving your faithfulness to God.  You build your faith in the wilderness.  The time there puts you in a posture where God becomes your first resort when issues arise.

Just because you are uncomfortable doesn't mean you're not where you're supposed to be.  

• Some things you can only learn in the struggle
• Some people will only change through a trial

When God tests us, it's to find out what is in our hearts

• it reveals what you really believe about God

• It strengthens our faith

Your heart is revealed by how you handle a trial

• Do you turn to God first?
• Do you trust what He’s doing?
• Or do you rely on your own knowledge?

After God reveals your destiny to you, you will be tested by the enemy.

Now that we know the process we don't need to doubt the promise

• The trial doesn't mean that the promise isn't from God

Tests from God are not meant to harm you, but to bring you into maturity.

1 Peter 5:10
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

The trial is meant to: perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Summary

• It’s important to study God’s character because if we believe God does something unexpected  we can lose our faith
• We see God doing something we don't consider “fair” or “right” without an understanding of how God works
• An example would be if a loved one dies, or tragedy happens
• Satan tries to give us a false expectation of God so we’ll be disappointed
• 5 Reasons Bad things happen
1. Satan caused it
2. God caused it to bring you back to His will
3. Natural consequence of some action or situation
4. God is trying to build your faith or change your character
5. Someone else exercised their free will
• So we can have troubles and still be in God’s will
• We took a deep look at the scenario where God tests you after He reveals your destiny
• This is when you are going through trials to get you from where you are to where you need to be
• This happened to: David, Jesus and Joseph
• When you are in a trial you should:
1. Cling to the promise  
2. Keep trusting God
3. Don’t focus on your current circumstances
4. Wait with anticipation
5. Worship God while you wait
• The trial could be meant to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you
  
  

Presenter: Michael Leadon