Ultimately this is God's good world, even if it is affected by sin. His influence is primarily in the mind of sinful mankind. He is a liar, a tempter, and by this means manipulates human actions. This is his domain and he does his best to align it to his ways. His confrontation with Jesus throughout his ministry and finally at the cross, demonstrates his power to influence and manipulate the actions of mankind.
Finally, it is important to again state that within the storms of life there is a higher principle at work. Jesus may be overwhelmed by the events of life, events clearly manipulated by Satan. Yet the higher principle of the will of the almighty, powerful and sovereign God, is not superseded by either the brute forces of nature or the manipulation of Satan. Whether in chaos or rebellion, order or love, his Kingdom comes, his will is done.
So much for Satanic interference, but what about the human factor? Human effort The living God is quite capable of being the Divine Manipulator, yet he chooses not to be for our sake. Rather he chooses to give us the freedom to face life's surging troubles and stand with us in that battle.
In his strength and with his support, we are to "resist" the Evil One, "wrestle" with him, and fearlessly face the brute force of circumstance. The purpose of this struggle against the forces at work in this world, is our preparation for eternity.
It prepares us for our rule with Christ in eternity. So then, our prayers should be concerned more with our own strengthening, and the strengthening of others. Rather than looking to Jesus to fix things up, we are to fix things up in the power he provides through the prayer of faith. Our stand against chaos is not just defensive, rather we have the privilege of bringing order to the chaos, and to that end God empowers us.
We have the task of perfecting and extending God's rule in our personal lives, the life of the church and in his broken world. This is something God gives us to do in the power he supplies.
The Spirit filled people of God have the authority to determine the practical realization of the Kingdom in the here and now and the power to do it. We work to hasten the realization of the Kingdom, 2Peter. The Lord reveals the ground rules for the realization of the Kingdom, while at the same time providing the means for the doing of it.
He empowers us for the ordering of creation and the defeating of the Evil One for the establishment of his eternal rule. In a sense then, we actually do it - in his power. Such prepares us for eternity. It is training in the use of the weapons of warfare for the coming battle in the eternal realms, Ehp.
So we are decision makers and builders of the Kingdom. We are to expedite its realization, here and in eternity. If this is the case, then there is little point in praying for something that we are unwilling to apply ourselves to. It may be of the Lord's will and therefore right to pray it, but even with all the faith in the world, it will not be realized at least in our experience unless we are willing to commit ourselves to its realization.
The Spirit filled people of God have the power to realize God's will. Prayer to that end should rightly concern empowering for ministry, provision of resources, encouragement and strengthening in the battle, rather than "you do it for us Lord". The relationship between God's forgiveness and our forgiveness of others, well illustrates this truth.
Jesus continually spoke on the relationship of the two. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Here is a partition that we can ask in faith knowing that we will receive it. Yet how serious are we in the asking?
Are we serious enough in the asking of this gift from God to be willing to try and forgive others when they ask us? Clearly if we are not willing to apply effort in the giving of forgiveness then we can have little expectation of God granting our request for forgiveness.
So then, petitionary prayer must be shaped by a right understanding of the present state of this world and the part we are to play in the realization of the Kingdom, both in this world and in the age to come. The problem of unanswered prayer disappears when we rightly understand these truths. The focus of prayer The point made so far is that although our prayer life tends to be concerned about the daily needs of ourselves and others, that such is really a waste of time.
The center of God's will concerns the realization of his Kingdom, and it is at that point where he intersects with our lives and where prayer is effective. Beyond that there is but shadows. Our prayers then, need to focus on the realization of the Kingdom. Our prayers must focus on the business of perfecting the Kingdom in the present moment and the business of working to hasten its coming in power. Of course, the Bible does not leave us with bare principles but rather clothes those principles with practical details.
We have numerous commands and promises, all of which are directed for the realization of the Kingdom and all of which should be a matter of prayer. We can go still further, for the Bible actually contains detailed teaching on prayer and examples of godly prayer, all of which focus on the business of realizing the Kingdom of God. Bible teaching on prayer 1. Jesus' teaching on prayer. Jesus begins by detailing an example list of petitions.
Here then is a primary list of petitions that center on the business of realizing the Kingdom of God. Each petition can be prayed with the assurance that God will hear and answer.
The parable of the Midnight Friend reaffirms this idea. He got what he wanted so we can expect much more cooperation when dealing with our Lord. On these matters, when we ask, we will receive. Just in case we may have thought that this story is a general All this is ours for the asking.
Jesus' upper room discourse. Jesus had come to establish the Kingdom in power. This was now to be the task of his disciples - "that they might bear much fruit". This would require in them a growth of knowledge and faith. Primarily it would require that they be "one" with him and each other - that there be love. In the fulfilling of that task they could ask anything and it would be granted.
The early church at prayer. The prayer runs as follows. You, O God, are Lord. Your intention is to establish your Kingdom in power. The Evil One rages, yet your intentions stand fast and are fulfilled no matter what. Enable us, therefore, in your power, to work for the establishment and perfection of your Kingdom in word and sign. Jesus' prayer in John The prayer concerns the task given the disciples, as those who have been sent into the world for the realization of the Kingdom.
The points of his prayer are: i] Sanctification via the truth. The business of being shaped into the image of Jesus. The business of realizing the Kingdom within the Christian community. The business of struggling against the powers of evil to bring in the Kingdom in power. God is love and His love is a holy love. God has great power and His power is a holy power. God is wise and His wisdom is a holy wisdom.
This is who God is. How can we recognize and appreciate the holiness of God without becoming legalistic?
The important thing about legalism and to avoiding legalism is simply this: we need to recognize that our standing with God, what God thinks about us, is not based on what we do for God but it is based on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. If we will keep that very strong and secure in our minds — the understanding that my status, my standing, my position with God, what God thinks of me, is not fundamentally based on what I do for Him, but on what He has done for me.
That is the great guard rail for avoiding legalism. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details.
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences.
Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions.
You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that.
You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here.
Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer Is it fair, or is it true to say that people believers become disobedient and turn from Jesus because of unanswered prayers in addition the message of the cross is too difficult to follow?
Two Cautions First , we understand that prayer is more than asking for things. Not abiding in Jesus John If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Trusting in the Length or Form of Prayer Matthew And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
A Bad Marriage Relationship 1 Peter Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. Not Asking James You lust and do not have. Selfish Praying James You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Walk forward, confident in Jesus! How can you know if you are idolizing theology over Jesus Himself? How can you know if you are idolizing theology over Jesus himself? What is apostasy, and who are apostates? What is the war in heaven described in Revelation 12? How did Elijah know that God would respond with fire when he challenged the prophets of Baal?
What about holy water, incense, and prayer cloths? What about women pastors? What is your understanding of women being pastors?
Will America be destroyed? Do you believe America will be destroyed? Can Christians play Harry Potter games? When we teach, should we just teach our own understanding of doctrine, or should we also teach what those who disagree with us might teach? Do we have to forget when we forgive? Why is there controversy over baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
How can I stop thinking negatively about people and God? So that you may spend it on your pleasures. Now, I read the third verse before I read the second one… I think I must need glasses. You lust and do not have. So you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. Or The Problem of Unanswered Prayer. After consideration of the problems of prayer, the subject that we have been dealing with in our last few times together, our subject for consideration tonight is the possibility of unanswered prayer.
We have considered the problem of the attributes and prayer. We have considered the problem of the decrees and prayer. Now, the problem of unanswered prayer. Is there such a thing as unanswered prayer? How long wilt though hide Thy face from me? On the other hand, he often speaks of answered prayer.
He answered prayer not in the way I sought, nor in the way I had thought he ought, but in his own good way. And I could see he answered in the fashion best for me. And so, I find myself, at least, falling back upon the promises of God and saying, well, I do think he does answer prayer.
He, undoubtedly, has answered my prayer, but I do not at the present time understand in what way. But I feel sure that he is answering it. And, first of all, I think we need to state the problem; what it is. And so, in our outline, Roman I, The statement of the problem. There are some things to keep in mind in stating the problem. And the first is capital A, the problem does not concern un-scriptural prayer.
God has not promised to answer requests that involve things contrary to his word. Now, if we were to ask ourselves, what do we mean by this, I think we would say, well, from the Godward side, or objectively, it should be obvious that God will not answer prayer that is contrary to his decretive will.
Now, remember, by decretive will we mean his will by which he has determined everything that is going to come to pass. And so if he has determined everything that is going to come to pass, then it should be obvious to us that he is not going to answer a prayer that is contrary to his decretive will. And so if you or I should pray something that is contrary to his decretive will, it is not going to be answered. That is, God is not going to do what you have asked him to do.
Now, he will answer it as we shall see, but he will not answer it in the sense that he will do it. He is not going to change his mind about his eternal counsel. Now, in the 1 John, chapter 5 in verse 14, we have a text, which bears on this topic, a text with which we are all familiar and probably you could cite it, many of you, without turning to it.
Now, I think when it says that he hears us, the implication is that he hears us and does what we ask, in this case. Now, from the manward side, it should also be obvious that it is wrong to expect God to answer prayer that arises from a disobedient heart. For example, the Bible states that prayers are hindered by various types of sin. And I want to look at a few passages. You will notice each one of these specifies some type of human sin, and it is stated in them that God does not answer prayers that arise out of disobedient hearts.
I will also confess that tonight there is no flies on me because there is one fly, right up here. And I want to be careful how I open my mouth, too. Psalm 66 in verse 18, we read. And so, here, we have Isaiah stating that our iniquities separate us from God. Our sins cause his face to be hidden from us so that he does not hear.
So, iniquity. The prayer that arises from the iniquitous heart, God does not hear. James chapter 1, verses 6, 7 and 8, turn there for a moment.
James 1, verses 6, 7, and 8. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting. For the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive any thing from the Lord. Being a double-minded man; unstable in all his ways. We could call that an attitude of instability. That is a form of sin. Faithlessness was referred also — was referred to, too, in chapter 1, verses 6 through 8.
That also is a form of sin. As a matter of fact, it is the root of all sin. For the root of all sin is unbelief. The Bible also states that lethargy, or disobedience, is the cause for unanswered prayer. Turn back to the Book of Joshua. Joshua, chapter 7, verses 10 through Joshua 7, verses 10 through This is the story of how Israel was defeated at Ai.
And in verse 1, Joshua writes,. If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan! And what will Thou do for Thy great name? Why is it that you have fallen on your face? And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. So then, from the standpoint of man, God does not answer the prayer that arises from the heart that is out of fellowship with him. Now, I do not mean by this, of course, that God does not hear that prayer.
It is obvious he does hear every prayer. But he does not answer them. We must never, I think, think that our prayers are levers by which we can move God to do things that we want him to do, as if this is a kind of way for us to get our own will.
Now, that is not really the proper approach to prayer. Charles Blanchard has written a little book on prayer, called: Getting Things from God. We have often heard of mothers who prayed for the salvation of their sons. I have even told God that I don't care if this man never speaks to me again, I just desire his salvation because I love him. But apparently God's will is not for people to be saved. How can people say God always listens, and always answers, it's just not always how we want?
I feel like that's a copout. For example, if a child asked his parent for something, and the parent didn't say anything at all back, would we say the parent answered the child? That the answer just wasn't yes, but no or wait? No, that's ridiculous. The parent didn't answer because he either didn't listen or he didn't see the reason to give any answer at all. Why is God held to a different, easier standard than a human parent?
If I hear nothing from God and see no evidence of any change in my life or others', ever , in response to prayer, then God is either listening and not answering at all, or He is not listening in the first place. I've been trying to figure out if I've been doing it all wrong all of my life. I'm realizing everything I keep reading online puts a bunch of conditions on prayer. You need to have enough faith, you need to have thankfulness, you need to repent from all your sins, you need to have no problems in any or your human relationships, you need to ask for the right things, and on and on and on.
So many conditions are put on our prayers for them to be answered that it makes the statement "God answers prayers" almost laughable. It degenerates into magical thinking. Like, the problem isn't that God doesn't answer prayer, it's that me and my prayers are always wrong.
I've prayed when I've been joyful and when I've been depressed. I've prayed when I've been in sin and known it, and I've prayed when I've confessed and repented of sin. It never makes one iota of difference in the answer or non-answer that comes from God. Basically, I no longer believe He loves me, cares about me, or any of that apparent nonsense I've believed all my life. If I use evidence, not just some wishful thinking, I just can't come to any other conclusion except that God does not answer prayer.
I dare not turn away from believing that Jesus died for the sins of the world, and that includes mine. But I believe I'm just included in that because I'm part of the world, not because I'm someone special to God.
And I now believe this out of fear, not love anymore. I'm too afraid of what would happen to me after death if I stopped believing. God is supposed to be my Father. How could I ever trust, believe, or love a father who would never listen to me, someone who powerful and perfect and is there keeping the business of the world going, but who never responds to me? I'm despairing because knowing that God doesn't really love me, notice me, or care about me as an individual makes my life completely meaningless.
You asked every questiom that I have been asking. My husband also abandoned and divorced me. I live in a no-fault state so he divorced me without my consent, left all belongings in our home, amd from the day he left I never heard from him again. It's been just over three years. If our spouses were repentant, then yes, they would leave their sinful lives and return to us amd God.
They would become faithful leaders in our homes. If they continue on with this life it will lead them right to hell. I believed in God for restoration and even believed He would in fact restore this marriage. I thought God told me He would. But of course, we have to learn many hard lessons. Sure, God might still do it but realistically, I havent seen or heard from my spouse in over three years. He created a new life and has been blessed abundantly.
The likelyhood of him giving him up everything to return to a wife with little to offer and whom he clearly has never missed? I doubt that happens. I have seen marriages restored but not with abandonment. Ive never seen or heard about a restoration where the spouse has never to do with the other. I thought this would be a time for God to shine but I have to be realistic too.
I cannot tell you the disapointment I feel in God and my spouse. I have learned that you can spend a lifetime being unsure if God has said "no" or "wait. Its not fair, its not comforting, and it doesnt fit all the typical Christian cliches like "Hell never give you more than you can handle.
God just wants you to be happy, Youll come out of this stronger, God did this so you can find someone better I am 70 yrs old and I too have known suffering. Paul said to live is Christ and to die is gain.
What do we learn while walking in this life? Suffering, joy, love, hate etc. He was tested and not found wanting. Has all this been a test to prepare us for a greater life? Have I lived life to its fullest? Have I achieved conformity to Christ? I don't know! I do know I want to know God and I find that all I have ever done or experienced in the flesh is worth nothing. The short time on this earth cannot be compared to life with Christ for all eternity!
I agree, suffering I do not want or ask for, but I know it will end someday thanks to my saviour who will come again for me and you!
First off, I am truly sorry for what both of you are going through and I can't imagine the pain that you must feel and the struggle that you have been through!
But I urge you to not give up on God! His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. He has a reason for everything whether we understand it or not. I would encourage you to read the book of Job if you haven't already. Also, Paul encourages us in Phillipians to have the same attitude as Christ. He was God, but humbled Himself into the form of a man and came to serve. Imagine that! The God that created everything became a human being just like you and me! He experienced birth as a baby Matt , Luke 1 , life as a man, hunger Matt 4 , temptation Matt 4 , grief John "Jesus wept.
He understands what you have been through because He's been through something just like it! And the best part is that He did it because He loved you so much that He wants you to live in Heaven with Him forever! Matthew says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. How did God use my miscarriage for "my good"? How could allowing my baby to die and letting me pray for a healthy pregnancy when the baby in my womb was already dead be "in my best interest"?
I'm not trying to be facetious here I'm really struggling to process this. If Jesus came to give us life, and life in abundance, why did He allow me to even fall pregnant, after 6 years of infertility, if this was His plan? I had gone through some terrible things in life. Betrayal, affairs, my dad had had cancer for three times and the death of my sister's son.
Taking care of six kids is tough and even tougher now that you had cancer. Do you have anyone helping you? Is your church helping you? If they don't help you with anything you may want to look for a new one who us truly caring and God fearing. I hate hearing "God has someting else in mind, and God is always going to do what's in your best interest" or anything like that.
I asked God to heal my brother, and now he is dead. Tell me how that works out for anyone's betterment. I asked not for myself, but for him, having had a very aloof relationship with him. After our mother died, I had hoped that my brother would learn to find his way in life.
Instead he's dead. I've asked God for family - a heartfelt desire he created me with, and the answer was "no" - God put us 2, miles away from family nearly 40 years ago. My kids have all moved away. My husband's dad died of cancer 40 years ago - leaving his widow in poverty with six kids to raise. And still she was faithful. I continue to try to be faithful, but I'm tired and in despair. I'm nearing the end of my life, when it will be too late to have those prayers answered.
So my point is, sometimes God just doesn't answer prayer. And He does not treat His children fairly - blessing some and cursing others. And to teach otherwise defies reality. Accept Our website is for marketing purposes only and is not intended to be used for services, which are provided over the phone or in person. About Us. Visit us at our new temporary location: 65 Chrystie St. As much as I want to trust God, my final answer is No.
I have moved away from religion and became agnostic. This is totally different from the person I used to be while growing up. Sincerely, Broken. Hi everyone, I'm so excited. The prospect of remaining alone for the rest of my life, to be honest, scares me to death. In each and every. Ron W. I have no idea if He really exists even though I used to be a missionary 20 years ago! But i was young and believed anyone with a Bible. Truth is NO ONE knows why God has his favorites, why He honors some prayers not others, why there are verses that outright contradict every single thing we know about His character, etc.
Everyone always compares those of us suffering to Job. Mine has lasted 35 years and no end in sight. Prayed for cancer because I didnt want to commit suicide.
That was one prayer he emphatically answered YES to! I want to LOVE him, i truly do. People expect God to make things right. That's OUR job, but we punted. Today I give up. After reading this I k ow there is no hope. Waiting all my life. For what? When will he help me this horrid addiction? When will he help me with this awful husband? When do you quit praying for something? He won't even do that. He just wants me to suffer emotional pain for the rest of my life.
Should I resume asking since God probably will just say No forever anyhow. So after 3 years of a glorious walk with God in Christ. I now happen to be on a 33 year nightmare where anything I ask for is NO! Weeping has endured for more than the night; Psalms , it has been over 3 decades with no sign of morning. Not a peep or a partial answer or an indirect one. No spouse, no family, no kids. No peace with siblings for myself or among them. Job losses after working so hard and effectively.
Health issues heart attack at 35 yrs old! No sign of hope. No answers. Just silence. Things became so jaded that at one point, I even prayed to suffer like the Apostles in Acts. Just to try to have some some prayer answered so I could believe. That is kinda messed up if you think about it. I read Job just to have someone to relate to but no happy ending for me yet. God has taketh away and not returned much except for loneliness, jobs I hate, and likely an early death from heart disease.
Tried it all and nothing works. I have read the article and it is utter foolishness and has Nothing to do with Christ and the Truth. For a start half the Bible is missing so how can you Teach from an unfinished book? I have faced a mountain of disappointment, listened to perpetual lies from the made up sermons from so-called Men and Women of a failing god. Hear me All of You, you are deceived by a deity, you are not brought to the Father. John Jesus wept. I definitely have be affected by unanswered prayer.
God seems to have brought horrible narcissistic people into my life that I treat well and they leave me crushed. Why would God keep bringing terrible people into your path? I am now in my late 30s and am running out of time for those things We are told we are not designed to be alone, yet we all pray for the most genuine things, a family, and are continually denied. I actually stopped going to church about 2 years ago I am completely grateful for the things in life I have been blessed with I prayed for someone I loved, he came back into my life and I thanked God and praised him, and then this man just quickly was disappeared from my life again.
If God controls everything, it seems cruel that he would allow you to think your prayer was finally being answered only to then shatter your heart days later and have this person disappear. That is cruel and I hear so many stories from others that make it sound like they have been treated cruelly, and it makes me feel like God enjoys watching me suffer.
Thanks to everyone who has responded. I went online to look for something to give me hope and came upon this article and the responses. I must say that something of each one who has posted over the years is something I have experienced. I believe all that I was taught as a young girl and I have prayed for family and for their salvation and small blessings. I have laid awake and prayed for divine intervention for God to answer small prayers of job, family salvation, and even for a nephew to have a spot on a baseball team.
I lost a job 3 years ago and have not been able to even provide for my clothes and gas for my car. When we trust God to intervene on behalf of our families and to help us with just the small things in life, it becomes increasing difficult when it seems that answers don't come. Please note, I have not doubted God nor have I gone back on His promises, but the constant disappointment has sapped the literal life out of our family.
We barely exist from one disappointment to another and from all unanswered prayers. The devil is rampant and it seems as if there is nothing to hold on to. I read scripture and claim all the promises, I read all the Christian authors and pastors available and try to put to practice every faithful Christian concept.
I will not give up, but is there anyone who can give me anything to help me not to be discouraged. I have prayed so much and so hard forGod to intervene that I am almost numb. Can someone at least give me a simple answer as to how to hold one for one answer to prayer or something that would go a long way in helping my faith.
I would welcome anything but defeat. Please, one small crumb of any hope. Thanks for listening. Russell Duby. Thank for for giving some insights to prayer. Frankly, I do not know who you are what your theological position is.
0コメント