Why Some Prayers Don’t Get Answered By God

We have all been in a place where we have been praying hard for something, and despite our best efforts in prayer, it doesn’t seem like God is answering. 

If you’ve ever wondered why some prayers go unanswered and why God does not seem to respond, this post is for you.

There are a variety of reasons why God may not answer certain prayers.

7 Reasons Why Our Prayers aren’t Answered

1. Demonic Resistance
2. God’s Plans, Purposes, & Timing
3. Unforgiveness
4. Mans Free Will To Choose
5. We Pray With The Wrong motives
6. Unconfessed Sin
7. Lack of Prayer in Our Daily Lives

There are many different reasons God answers some prayers and doesn’t answer others. It’s puzzling at times and hard to cope with, especially when the unanswered prayer involves something life-changing, like losing a loved one.

God is sovereign, and in His infinite wisdom and knowledge, He answers prayers according to His will and in His own time. God is still good.

Demonic Resistance to Prayer

This can be a difficult concept to understand, especially when we are caught up in the limited perspective of our human understanding. It’s important to be aware that our battle is not in the physical realm (against flesh and blood) but in the spiritual realm. I believe that there is often demonic resistance to our prayers, but even so, God is still on the throne and in charge.

I believe a lifestyle of obedience to the Word, prayer, and fasting is necessary to see a consistent answer to prayer–and to break through the demonic resistance to them, but ultimately God is in control.

Examples of Demonic Resistance to Daniel

In Daniel 10:2-20 we see a powerful example of demonic resistance to prayer. Daniel repented, prayed, and fasted, and God heard his prayer from the first day. An angel told Daniel that on the first day, he set himself to pray, God had released an answer, but the principality of Persia hindered it.

This is an important reminder that Satan’s kingdom is real and demonic resistance to prayer can occur, especially when we humble ourselves and incorporate fasting into our spiritual practices. The enemy doesn’t like it.

Be encouraged by the fact that God heard Daniel the very first day he humbled himself and set his heart to pray and intercede. God hears your prayers.

It’s also worth noting that it was not just God and angels who knew of Daniel’s prayer, but the enemy did too. The principality of Persia was actively trying to hinder the answer from reaching Daniel. However, through repentance, prayer, and fasting, Daniel’s faith and persistence allowed him to overcome the resistance and receive a response from God.

An Angel Got Peter out of Prison While Church Prayed

Similarly, in Acts 12:5-17, we see the story of Peter, who was imprisoned and guarded by multiple guards, making it impossible for him to escape. However, the church prayed for his release.

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church

An angel was sent in response to the church praying and freeing him from his chains. This example shows us the power of collective prayer and how it can overcome demonic resistance. Peter’s release would likely not have occurred if the church hadn’t been praying.

In conclusion, demonic resistance to prayer is a real aspect of spiritual warfare that can hinder our communication with God. However, by humbling ourselves, incorporating fasting, and praying together as a community, we can overcome resistance and receive the answers to our prayers.

God’s Plans, Purposes, & Timing

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s understanding of time is far greater than ours, and He sees the bigger picture of life with a long-term plan – something which we can only begin to fathom with our limited understanding. Therefore, trusting this plan requires faith even when we don’t fully understand it. 

For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

When faced with unanswered prayer, it is important to have confidence that God is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). Seek God’s will through prayer and trust His timing. 

God’s plans are bigger than anything we can imagine. His love for us goes beyond anything we could ever hope or dream (Ephesians 3:20). 

He understands our needs better than anyone else and knows how best to provide for us despite any delays or setbacks; therefore, trusting Him allows us to find peace amidst any uncertainty. No matter what comes our way in life, God’s purpose will ultimately prevail (Isaiah 46:10).

Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is an obstacle to answered prayer. When we refuse to forgive others, it creates a barrier between God and us. Jesus taught this.

Matthew 6:14-15 when He said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

This isn’t just for the other person’s benefit—it’s also for our spiritual well-being.

As Ephesians 4:32 states, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.”

It’s not always easy to forgive, but it’s worth it. For our sake and the sake of the person we have an offense with.

Matthew 5:23-24 also drives this point home when Jesus says,

“Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there, remember that your brother has something against you leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled with him then come and offer your gift.”

Address any conflicts or bitterness we may be holding onto before approaching God in prayer, or else we risk our prayers being hindered by our lack of forgiveness.

Why the Lord May Wait for Unity Before Answering Prayer

Another factor in a delay in answered prayer is the value the Lord places on unity. Our hearts need to be open; that is the default state. Open to loving God and open to loving others: even strangers. 

Jesus said, if you give a cup of cold water to someone in my name, you are doing it for him, or when you feed the poor or comfort orphans and widows. These things require our hearts to be open.

John 17:21 Jesus prays to the Father “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” God values unity and desires for His people to be united in heart and purpose.

The book of Acts teaches us that when the early church was united in one accord, they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire. This suggests that unity is important in a prayer answered by God.

Jesus himself said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

This scripture attests to the power of corporate prayer, which comes only with a unified spirit.

To seek an answer to prayer, we must unite with others. The Lord desires to bring about a sense of unity rather than division, so He will often wait until a relationship or situation is unified before granting an answer to prayer.

In addition to providing a better environment for answered prayer, it can also lead to greater joy and blessings from God. For example, if there is strife in a family or among friends, coming together in harmony can lead to closer relationships and a stronger bond between those involved.

On the other hand, disunity can have disastrous effects on our prayers being answered by God. It can cause us to become embittered and angry and even turn to gossip and slander. When we lack harmony with others while praying, it severely hinders our ability to receive answers.

His desire is for his bride to be unified.

Man’s free will

Man’s free will plays a significant role in the timing and outcome of answered prayer. Our own choices and actions can affect the answers to our prayers.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that the free will of others can also play a role in the answers to our prayers. For example, we may be praying for someone, and even though God may be willing to answer that prayer, the person may reject or resist the answer due to their own free will choices.

It’s also important to note that demonic resistance can play a role in this process. Satan will often work to distort perception and influence individuals to make choices that resist what God is trying to accomplish.

Praying With Wrong Motives

Praying with the wrong motives can hinder our prayers from being answered, as our desires may not align with God’s will. James 4:3 warns us against asking for things incompatible with His plans for us. 

Additionally, when we pray for selfish reasons, such as to show off or draw attention to ourselves, our prayers may lack sincerity and, therefore, not be answered. Matthew 6:5-6 cautions against this kind of behavior. 

Some of what we pray can stem from fleeting and selfish desires rather than a deep understanding of God’s plans for our lives. When we make requests based on these misguided motivations, they can lead to unanswered prayer because they do not align with His ultimate purpose for us. 

Praying with wrong motives can include making an unfair judgment against those who stand against us in the natural world or whom we perceive as adversaries. We may pray negative prayers against them and ask God to judge them, forgetting that the real battle is in the spiritual realm, not against people or flesh and blood. 

Prayer is a conversation with God. It’s not just a recitation of words. We need to have an honest heart before Him and trust that He knows what is best for us without trying to manipulate outcomes according to our wishes. 

Through sincere prayer that considers our needs and God’s will for our lives, we can be filled with hope instead of fear when it comes time for Him to answer our prayers.

Unconfessed Sin

Unconfessed sin can greatly hinder our prayers and our relationship with God. When we have unconfessed sin in our lives, it can create a separation between God and us, making it difficult for us to hear from Him and for our prayers to be answered. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

In addition to hindering our relationship with God, unconfessed sin can also grieve the Holy Spirit. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

When we continue in unconfessed sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit, which hinders His work in our lives.

Walking in the flesh and not pleasing God can also hinder our prayers. 

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:8

When we are focused on fulfilling our desires and walking in the flesh, we cannot please God, and our prayers may not be answered.

Additionally, not practicing what Hebrews 5:14 says about training our senses to discern good and evil can hinder our prayers. Learn to distinguish between good and evil to walk in the spirit and please God.

Daniel’s prayer and fasting (Daniel 9:3 & Daniel 10:2) serve as a powerful example of the connection between sin and hindered prayer. Through fasting and confessing the sins of his people, Daniel was able to receive revelation and have his prayers answered by God.

Unconfessed sin can also attract demons and invite the kingdom of darkness to interfere with our prayers. The enemy is creeping around, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). As a pastor once told me, the key is not to be “devourable.” 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Confessing and turning away from our sins is crucial for resisting the devil and his interference in our prayers.

Lack of Prayer in Our Daily Lives

Lack of fasting or prayer in our daily lives can hinder our relationship with God and our ability to receive answered prayer. When we don’t make time for God in our daily lives, we miss out on the benefits of abiding in Him that Jesus promised if we obey Him.

One of the key benefits of abiding in Jesus is answered prayer. In John 15:7, Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” We must constantly communicate with God through prayer to receive answers to our prayers.

Another important aspect of our relationship with God is making Jesus the center of our lives. However, for many believers, this is only sometimes the case. In the seasons of our lives, we may become distracted by other things and drift away from our daily time with God. Therefore, it’s important to consciously keep Jesus at the center of our lives and prioritize our time with Him.

Fasting & Prayer

Fasting is also a powerful tool that can help us position our hearts to say yes and obey God in greater measure. As we have already discussed, Daniel’s fast impacted the spirit realm. Fasting allows us to focus on God, humble ourselves, and deny our fleshly desires, which can lead to greater spiritual breakthroughs. 

Additionally, fasting can help us position our hearts to say yes and obey God in greater measure. When our prayers are combined with fasting, there are significant advantages and power to our prayers. As we fast, we are positioning ourselves to hear God’s voice more clearly and to be in a better position to receive answers to our prayers.

Prayer of Repentance for Neglecting Prayer Life

Heavenly Father,

I come before You in humility and repentance. I have neglected my prayer life and allowed idols to fill my heart, mind, and priorities. This space should be reserved for only you, Lord. You are my One Thing. Jesus, come and be the center of my life again. I surrender.

I ask for Your forgiveness, knowing that You are merciful and compassionate. Help me to put aside all of the distractions that keep me from coming close to You so that I may focus on deepening my relationship with You.

May I always remember Your grace and mercy, as it is only through Your great love that I can gain true freedom.

Your Word says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32: 8).

 Please lead me this way, Lord so that I may grow closer to You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Perseverance in prayer is Important.

Perseverance in prayer is an essential part of the Christian faith. Scripture teaches us to take our prayers and petitions to God with Thanksgiving. The word promises that the peace of God will rest in our hearts.

To be earnest implies that we approach God wholeheartedly, focusing all our energies on Him when we pray. It’s not enough to go through the motions or speak mindlessly into the air – when you pray, you engage with your Creator. 

When Elijah prayed for drought and then seven times for rain, he showed real faithfulness and commitment that eventually received an answer (James 5). We should seek this same tenacity when asking God for things, being confident that He will acknowledge us if it is His will. In perseverance in prayer lies true hope!

Elijah was just a man. He prayed that it would not rain, and it didn’t rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. – James 5:17-18

(God) would tell us that we are not to rest without an answer because it is the will of God, the rule in the Father’s family: every childlike believing petition is granted. If no answer comes, we are not to sit down in the sloth that calls itself resignation, and suppose that it is not God’s will to give an answer. There must be something in the prayer that is not as God would have it…; we must seek for grace to pray so that the answer may come. It is far easier to the flesh to submit without the answer than to yield itself to be searched and purified by the Spirit, until it has learnt to pray the prayer of faith.

Andrew Murray Page 34 of With Christ in the School of Prayer

Hope For Those Discouraged By Unanswered Prayer

Nobody likes to be disappointed, least of all by unanswered prayer. We can often become discouraged and feel like giving up when our prayers are answered differently than we want or at the time we expect. It’s normal to feel this way, but it is important for Christians not to succumb to despair and fall into unbelief.

The Bible gives us plenty of reminders about faith and trusting in God even when things don’t go our way. 

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

This verse tells us that through faith, we can draw near to God and that He rewards those who trust Him and diligently seek His will.

So how can we keep from becoming discouraged when our prayers seem unanswered?

Tips to Avoid Discouragement in Prayer 

• Spend time reading the Bible – When life gets overwhelming. We feel discouraged and ready to give up; turning back to God’s Word can fill us with spiritual strength and provide assurance that God is still with us even in hard times. Reading familiar passages of scripture can bring comfort while also challenging us to trust in His plan even when we don’t understand it. 
• Pray continually – The Bible encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” We can do this by praying throughout the day, whether on our daily commute, during a break at work, or when doing house chores – talking with God about everything on our minds will help bring peace during times of discouragement and remind us of His presence no matter what situation we find ourselves in. 
• Practice gratitude– Count your blessings. Get your mind on the things God has already blessed you with. Gratitude helps keep discouragement at bay. 
• Trust God – Easier said than done, right? But sometimes, we need a little reminder that things may seem bad right now, but they won’t last forever! Read stories from the Bible where other people had experiences similar to yours, such as Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers but ended up being ruler over Egypt, or Paul, whose missionary journey was full of hardships. Yet, he faithfully continued preaching the gospel. These stories will help encourage you to stand firm in your faith no matter how bad things may seem today! 

Remember why you have faith- because having faith pleases God! If you question whether God heard your prayer, remember what Hebrews 11:6 said; “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and He rewards those who seek him.” Having faith means believing that, eventually, good will come out of any tough situation while trusting wholeheartedly in Him no matter what!

Conclusion: Trust Jesus

While several factors may contribute to a delay in prayer answers, the exact combination can often be mysterious. 

We may not understand why prayers are delayed or why certain things happen. However, it is important to remember that God is sovereign and controls everything. He sees the big picture and knows what is best for us.

Trust in Jesus’s wise and loving leadership. He knows what is best for us and works all things together for our good and His glory. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Even when we don’t fully understand the factors contributing to a delay in prayer answers, He knows what is best for us and is always working for our good