Why God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer by Mark Sanford

There are many reasons why God does or does not answer prayer. Many more than anyone can realize. 
We can, however, make general presumptions on these reasons. Since we were created in the image of God, 
our reasoning, though as childish as it is, is akin to our Creator. This gives us the ability to formulate opinions 
and conclusions that for the most part lead to some truth. That being said, what are some of the reasons our 
prayers don’t seem to be answered?

1. What you are praying for is not good for you. How many prayers go out to God that He must see as no possibility. These usually are prayers that are based on material wants in excess of what is needed. As an example, a young boy would pray for what he considers his car of choice. However, he eventually gets the car of his father’s choice. Remember that God sees all things at all times, so He sees the outcome of our prayers. The pride of the young boy could be out of control if God were to grant him his ‘choice car’.

2. How would your prayer affect others? “Make the weather beautiful Lord, so I can finish painting the house.” So, it pours rain the entire next week and you and your prayers are left behind. Why? Well, the entire area needed rain desperately to grow not only the foliage but the crops on the farms as well. Have you ever thought that maybe you are not right for the 'girl of your dreams'. Yeah, what about her? If you don't straighten up your life, how do you expect God to unleash you on someone else?

3. The people around you do not accept the grace of God. It is written in scripture that the greatest of prayer is to pray for others. However, remember that we have free will to accept or reject the grace that God gives to us. So, your prayer seems to go unanswered and that person seems to never change.

4. You have no faith. All through the New Testament Jesus reaffirms what faith can do. “If you had the faith of a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this tree be thee uprooted and cast yourself into the sea and it would be done.” But, what is faith and what is testing God? True faith comes with humility and acceptance to the will of God. That is, you know when you ask for something God will help you one way or the other so you do not trifle on the particulars. Many people test God when they pray by expecting their way – not His.

5. Your soul is not in an adequate state to even respond to the grace God sends you. This is the same result as number 3 except that you are the one not getting it! You must change your ways and fast in order to be receptive to the will of God.  Jesus said “Many spirits are only removed through fasting…” This is how the men of old cleanest themselves - through fasting.  We seem to have forgotten how important it is to fast from the world and the flesh. But, if you really want to get close enough to your Creator to hear His answer to your prayers, then fast.

6. And finally, God has answered your prayer, but you do not know it, yet. This probably happens quite often since it seems that all my prayers were answered at some time, in some way that I didn’t expect.

If you really want to have your prayers answered then humble yourself before God and man and empty yourself of the world through fasting. Then, it may surprise you that what you were praying for was never important at all.

Mark is a retired communications specialist living in Austin, Tx.  As Mark puts it "My wife and I, both, believe in the great benefits of a healthy body and soul."  You may contact Mark through our search page by searching on CID 117 or last name 'Sanford'.