WHY God does NOT answer some of our prayers?
April 5 Bible
Reading: 2 Samuel Chapters 19-21
WHY God does NOT answer some of our prayers?
Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and
David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, "It is because of Saul
and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites." (2 Sam 21:1)
The cause
for famine during David’s time was Saul and his bloody house, because he slew
the Gibeonites. Some think that they
were sufferers in the atrocity perpetrated by Saul at Nob (1Sam 22:19) where
many of them may have resided as attendants of the priests. This famine would
continue until David took definite steps of restitution, and God would answer
their prayers as soon as His requirements of justice are satisfied. "So they performed all that the king
commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land" (2 Sam
21:14)
Why does not God answer some of our
prayers as well? The
Bible gives us many reasons why God
does not answer some of our prayers, especially if our motives are wrong (James
4:3), if we regard iniquity in the heart (Psalms 66:18), if we live in sin
(Isaiah 59:2; John 9:31), if we offer unworthy service to God (Mal 1:7-9), if
we forsake God (Jer. 14:10, 12), if we reject the call of God (Prov 1:24-25,
28), and if we do not hear and obey God's word (Prov 28:9; Zech. 7:11-13). Our
prayers will also not be answered if we are wavering (James 1:6-7), hypocrites
(Job 27:8-9), proud (Job 35:12-13) or self-righteous (Luke 18:11-12, 14).
Thus there
are many reasons for unanswered prayer and when we see our prayers not answered
we should seek God to address the problem. When afflictions come into our
lives, like David, we should sincerely ask God for the reasons behind them and
God will answer us in some way. Many troubles are sent our way to bring our sin
to remembrance, and are meant to lead us to repentance and to humble ourselves
before God.
Today, let us boldly approach the throne room of God and understand the specific reasons for our troubles and why our prayers are not being answered. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16)
