WHY YOUR PRAYER MAY NOT BE GRANTED.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 08, 2022.

SUBJECT: WHY YOUR PRAYER MAY NOT BE GRANTED.

Memory verse: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4 vs 3).

READ: First John 3 vs 21 - 22; 5 vs 14 - 15

3:21; Beloved, if our hearts does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

3:22: And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

5:14: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us.

5:15: And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

INTIMATION:

God does not answer all our prayers. When our prayers are not in tune with His purposes, He doesn’t grant such petitions. Sometimes, we ask for the wrong things or with wrong reasons. God is always ready to grant our needs in accordance with His purposes , and promises, but not in line with our wants. He created us for His own purposes and desires, and not for ours. He doesn’t work to make us happy, but rather to achieve His purposes. 

He knows our needs even before we ask them (Matthew 6 vs 8), and He is ready to provide those needs at His own appointed time, and in accordance with his plans and purposes for our lives.

Sometimes, we may pray to God for something and receive no answers, because our faith and confidence may have been dampened by our unclear conscience. Your conscience may have been smeared by unconfessed sin, thereby impacting negatively on your confidence in God. If your conscience is clear, you can come to God without fear, confident that your requests will be heard. 

But if you have doubts, expect to receive nothing from the Lord. The apostle James says; "But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1 vs 6 - 7).

Most of us when we go to God in prayer, we place a demand of what we want, rather than discuss with Him what He wants for us. If we align our prayers to His Will, He will listen, and we are sure of receiving answer to our petition. God does not grant requests that violates the principles of His kingdom. For instance, He will not grant requests that would hurt us or others or that is not in harmony with His own nature or will. The stronger our belief, the more likely our prayers will be in line with God's will, and then God will be happy to grant them:

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (First John 5 vs 14 - 15.)

Take for instance, Jesus Christ taught us thus; "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5 vs 44). When you pray to God to kill your enemies, God will not answer such prayer because it is outside the Will of God. Though your enemy may die for incurring the wrath of God for evil deeds committed, but not from an answer to your prayers. Just present your case to God, and allow Him to act according to His Word.

Though, “It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you” (Second Thessalonians 1 vs 6), but the Scripture says, “Repay to no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12 vs 17 - 19.)

Again, when you ask for knowledge beyond our ability to understand or accept, you will  not receive any answers from God. For instance, in Judges 13 vs 17 - 18, an Angel came to Manoah (the father of Samson) and his wife to announce the birth of their son Samson, Manoah wanted to know the name of the Angel of the Lord. The Angel responded "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?". The Angel was saying that his name was a mystery and beyond understanding and too wonderful to imagine. Manoah asked the Angel for an answer he wouldn't have understood.

When you have not followed God's previous directions, answers to your prayers may be hindered. If you don't fulfill the responsibilities God has already given you previously, then don't be surprised when He does not give further guidance. For instance, Saul did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek. Consequently, when Saul prayed to God, he didn't receive any answers again. (Study First Samuel 15, and 28 vs16-18).

Also, God may be directing you to a greater purpose in your life. David wanted to build a temple for God which He refused because God was planning to do something even greater in David's life than allowing him the prestige of building the temple. (Study Second Samuel 7 vs 8 - 16). You would have prayed with good intentions, only to have God say no. This is because God has better or other plans for you, and by that way is directing you to a greater purpose in your life. Accepting God's no requires as great faith as carrying on His yes.

Receiving answers to your prayers, requires your always being obedient to God, doing His will, and asking according to His will. The Word of God is His will. How much of the Word do you know? We require to be studious, and constantly meditating on the Word to receive the right import of the Word. 

When you are filled with His Word, it’s easy for you to reason together with Him as He demands (Isaiah 1 vs 18), and give Him your strong reasons (Isaiah 41 vs 21) in line with His promises, and He will grant your petition. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23 vs 19.)

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of total obedience, and trust in you. My desire is to do Your Will at all times. Give me the grace to achieve Your purpose for which You created me. Let Your will, not my mine, be done, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!