Why Doesn't God Always Answer Prayers?

The central thing about prayer is that it is asking God to keep his promises. Usually that means the things he has promised to do for people who ask him, and that he has committed himself to in the Bible.

There are three main answers:

(1) Because people sometimes pray, but don't really believe God will answer. Even Jesus' first disciples had prayers that weren't answered because of lack of faith.

'Afterwards the disciples asked Jesus privately, 'Why couldn't we cast out that demon?' 'You didn't have enough faith,' Jesus told them.' ( The Bible, Matthew chapter 17 verses 19 - 20 ).

Jesus said, 'Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust me.' ( The Bible, John chapter 14 verse 1 ).

Jesus taught that Christians should have faith in God and in himself for prayers to be answered. Faith is not a feeling but choosing to believe in God and trust him.

Jesus taught that Christians should have faith in God and in himself, if their prayers are to be answered. Faith is not a feeling, but a choice; a choice to believe that God means what he says, and will do what he has promised to do.

The remarkable thing is that God does answer so many prayers that we pray with very imperfect faith. He is not the prisoner even of his own rules!

(2) Because we don't ask for the right things.

'When you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure.' ( The Bible, James chapter 4 verse 3 )

Jesus taught Christians to pray 'in Jesus' name'. This means asking for the kind of things that Jesus would like to do and trying to find out what He wants.

(3) God may have something better.

'If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.' ( The Bible, Matthew chapter 7 verse 11 ).

Jesus taught that, for the Christian, God is like a heavenly Father who will always do what is best for his children. A good parent will not always give their child everything they ask for. Children treated like that become self centred and spoilt.

Christians believe that, as a loving heavenly Father, God sometimes says 'No' or 'Wait' or 'I've got something better'. And sometimes God says, 'Yes'. Whether or not we understand at the time, the Christian will seek to ask God - and then trust Him.