In our previous blog, we explored the importance of prayer and its meaning. Now, let’s dive deeper into some of the main reasons why certain prayers go unanswered.
1. Doubt/Lack of Faith
James 1:6-7 emphasizes the importance of asking in faith, without doubting. Verse 7 tells us that a person who doubts should not expect to receive anything from God. Faith is a crucial element to prayer and to releasing God’s power over our circumstances. That’s why often times we’d hear Jesus saying, “Your faith has made you well/Let it be done to you according to your faith.”
We learn in Matthew 13:58 that, even though Jesus had all power, he could not perform many miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief. This tells us that doubt can restrict God from answering our prayers and from releasing his power over our circumstances.
2. The words we say on a daily basis
Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” This reinforces the fact that we have dominion and authority over what ultimately happens on earth. Our everyday words can undermine our prayers, making them null and void.
In Luke 1, when Zechariah doubted the angel’s promise of John’s birth, who was crucial to God’s redemption plan, God took extreme action and caused him to be mute until the child was born, preventing him from speaking words of doubt because He knew that Zechariah’s words had authority over what happens on earth.
Our post-prayer practices are just as important as our practices during prayer. The enemy is more concerned about what you do and say after your prayer, because that is when you are most vulnerable. He even tempted Jesus only after His 40 days of prayer and fasting (Matthew 4v1-11). After you have prayed, what kind of things do you say? We can pray fervently but the things we say on a daily basis still have authority to shape our reality.
3. Posture of the Heart
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 teaches us something. The posture of the heart behind that prayer is one whose desires are aligned with the will of God and one that wants God to get the glory. Sometimes we ask for things that are not in line with God’s will (including His timing) but rather are driven by our own selfish desires. James 4:3 clearly states that we ask but do not receive because we ask amiss (for our own selfish desires).
Most of our desires have even become idols in our hearts because we want them more than we want God Himself. Should God give us those things, we will most likely put them before Him. In Deuteronomy 8:2, we learn that God tested the Israelites and took them on a 40-year journey through the wilderness before bringing them to the promised land in order to check the posture of their hearts.
Matthew 6:33 is very clear in letting us know that only when we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness will all these other things be added unto us. God does not answer some of our prayers because they are for our selfish desires, are not in line with His will, would enable to idolatry in our hearts, and would not bring Him glory.
By understanding these reasons, we can refine our prayer life to make it more effective. Jesus provides a powerful formula for prayer that acts as an antidote to these common pitfalls. In our next and final blog about prayer, we’ll explore this formula to help us pray more effectively.
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Stay blessed,
Katekisani
Very insightfull blog about the importance and power of our words.
Thank you for reading! I’m glad you found it insightful.
Another powerful and instructive installment! It is indeed important for us to align our hearts and prayers with God’s will, as well as guard our tongue. Well done!
His will for our lives is perfect!Thank you for reading!
Thank you for a lovely blog. Surely spirit led .
Thank you so much for reading!
Thank you for this lovely blog. Thank you for reminding me/us about how our words have power to create! And how our doubt can easily erase that prayer of faith. I am truly encouraged and delighted to have read this blog.
Thank you
Really appreciate you taking the time to read! I’m so glad the post has left you encouraged.
Fundamental biblical principles we often forget. Thanks for the reminder.
The most important principles can be the easiest to forget, we need to be reminded of them from time to time. Thanks for reading!
Processing and the word is dealing with me!!
Thank you for this Kat! Have a lot to say but don’t even know what to say!
Thank you so much ♥️
Thanks for taking the time to read, Joy❤️. May God’s word continue to refine you, guiding you into the abundant life He so greatly desires for you.
The second point on “the words we speak” particularly profound. I’m reminded of Psalms 141:3 “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Help us Lord!
Thank you for this insightful read Katekisani!
Thank you, Judy. Psalm 141:3 is actually one of my anchor scriptures for 2025. May God help us indeed! Thank you for reading.
Thank you for bringing these important keys to answered prayers. The keys you pointed out work together so well and are inseparable if we are to constantly receive from God all that we pray for.
Thank you again and keep sharing the Word, K.
I completely agree that these factors are interconnected. Thank you, Tsepiso, for taking the time to read and share your thoughts – it means a lot.