Unanswered Prayers

Good Morning!

God hears every whisper of our hearts. His omnipresence means no prayer is ever lost, ignored, or overlooked. Yet we all face moments when heaven feels silent—when the answer we long for doesn’t come, or comes in a form we didn’t expect. Why does God seem to answer some prayers and not others?

Scripture reminds us that God’s silence is never neglect; it is often protection, redirection, or preparation. Sometimes the issue isn’t that God refuses to answer—it’s that His answer doesn’t match our expectation. Other times, the barrier lies within us. Psalm 66 hints at a sobering truth: our posture before God matters. When our hearts cling to stubbornness, disobedience, or unconfessed sin, we may unknowingly hinder the very petitions we bring before Him.

But this is not a message of condemnation—it is an invitation. God desires alignment, not perfection. He calls us to examine our motives, surrender our will, and trust His timing. His “no” or “not yet” is often the doorway to a greater mercy we cannot yet see.

Unanswered prayers stretch our faith. They teach us to seek God’s presence more than His provision, His heart more than His hand. And even in silence, He is working. Psalm 66:20 reassures us that God does not turn away our prayers or His mercy. His love remains constant, even when His answers feel delayed.

Today, let unanswered prayers draw you closer, not farther. Let them refine your trust, soften your heart, and remind you that God’s wisdom exceeds your understanding. He hears you. He sees you. And in His perfect time, He will respond in the way that leads to life.

Reflection:

Lord, help me trust Your timing and examine my heart. Align my desires with Your will, and teach me to rest in Your faithful love.

Walking away from God

Jesus always asked a question before responding. When God’s answer is not what we expect, we tend to walk away sad (Mark 10:22). Like the rich man, we get stuck on the question (v.20-21). When Jesus asked ‘why do you call me good?’ It was for a reason. Just like the rich man many miss the true answer. We all lack one thing: we fail to keep the first and greatest of the commandments—love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Matthew 22:37-38). We put our treasures and great deeds first. Like the rich man, Making it hard to give up and truly follow Christ.  What can you give up today? 

The power of prayer by faith

Today's affirmation: #prayer #faith

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  Psalm 107:28-30

http://ow.ly/wir8100G4CP

The battle Within

Today's affirmation:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? Jam. 4:1-11

Good Morning! - When Troubled Hearts Enlarge

Good Morning! ~ Hope in the Lord

Good Morning! - You Stop God From Answering Prayers

Good Morning! - The Lack of Gratitude

Good Morning! - Fruits of the mouth

Part III - When all else fail Put God first… A Praying relationship

When all else fail - Read

In everything you do put God first and He will direct and crown your efforts with success. Proverb 3:6

When all else fail

What is true and tried the world has turned away from it – God’s written word. We conger up schemes hoping to persuade God and when Pimping God don’t work we become surly and give up.

Breakthrough

Between 1990 and 2006, apathy was my name. All decisions and financial investments crumbled. My self-centered prayers Edged God Out – ego – and I blamed God for my failures.  When He did not reply hopelessness manifested. I was ready to cash in all my chips. “Lord how long will this misery last?” I justified my actions by questioning God. Man’s faith waivers in the darkest hour.

When all else failed I finally put God first. The ah-ha moment came after studying this familiar verse – seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Matthew 6:33.

Stumbling blocks

True understanding was lost because my focus was not on God they were on:

Treasures – Jobs, money, material things – Matthew 19-21

Ego – focus on self not submitted to be in God’s will – 2 Corth. 8:5

Selfish – ­committed work to self and not to God – Proverb 16:3

Lack of faith – doubtful

For where your treasure is there will be your heart also Matthew 6:21.

God does listen

Though I was a Christian my heart/treasure was not on God. Attempting to do all things through ‘me’ that strengthened me – man’s power is limited.

One dreary cold Sunday morning after praying a selfish prayer the Holy Spirit spoke.  You ask me to do all these things in my Son’s name yet you stopped attending church, worshiping and praising my name. You cannot do these simple actions yet you ask much from me.

This profound message changed my perspective – it is not about me but about God.  Over time I put God first, prayer focus changed, and faith increased. Today, God is first and He has directed me. He has crowned my efforts with success.

Steps to a better prayer life



Steps to success

The foundation of developing a positive prayer life and relationship with God begins with prayer – praying for others, praising God and Worship. As I implemented each step from my three part series on prayer God begin to move - sometimes swift and other times as he saw fit. 

Part I - Unanswered Prayers… When God refuse to hear  - Seven deadly sins which cause unanswered prayers

 

 Part II - Pimping God for Seven minutes …Do You Know How to Pray? - Hustling and bargaining with God

 

Part III When allelse fail Put God first - A Praying relationship

Don't give up

When all else fails don’t give up. Whatever storm you may be facing I encourage you put God first.  Seek God’s will (not yours) through prayer, study his word and watch him begin to move in your life!

Part II - Pimping God for Seven minutes …Do You Know How to Pray?

Part II

It came to pass, that as He was praying one of the disciples said Lord teach us to pray as John taught his disciples Luke 11:1-4

Pimping God

Most Christians cannot pray to God seven minutes.  Being honest, there was a season I could not either. There was a preoccupation with me, myself, and I.  Yet, when the going got tough I was first in line hustling and bargaining with God.  “Lord I will do this if you do that.”

What is prayer?

People don’t know how to pray. We are a society filled with greed. Anxious, impatient and want what we want now.  We wish or rub lanterns and hoping Jesus pops out - poof! That is not prayer.

·        Prayer is communication with God

·        Prayer is an action – praying without ceasing Thes. 5:17.

·        Prayer is supplication – not being anxious  Philippians 4:6

·        Prayer is NOT vain repetition – stop babbling Matthew 6:7

I don’t know how to pray

how to pray

There was a woman who was learning how to pray.  She started with prayers she knew – The Lord’s Prayer and The 23^rd Psalms. On her daily commute she prayed two Lord’s Prayers and three 23^rd Psalms. Her petitions were about God and not self. In return her life was filled with joy and closeness with God. Jesus told His disciples enter your closet and pray in secret Matt.6:6. After entering your private closet your prayer can be as simple as reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

What to pray for

As my understanding and relationship matured in Christ so did my prayer life. Opposed to egotistical prayers I started giving thanks for everything – life, health, home, job and family. I graduated to praying for the sick, shut-in, friends and strangers. Most important I sought God’s will and welcomed the Holy Spirit into my life.

Dear Christian, there is no set amount of time required to pray but if you are not giving God seven minutes make the time. If your prayers are self-absorbed it time for a paradigm shift! Give Thanks to God because he is good in all things!

Dear Father God, help me to become more conscious of giving you thanks, praise and less selfish desires. Help me to grow spiritually and conform to your will. This I pray in your son Jesus Christ name – Amen.

God is Not Afraid of Your True Emotions

Submitted by: Justina Page

www.thecircleoffirebook.com 

Lost in the fire

...When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Isaiah 43:2-3 

On March 7, 1999 at the crack of dawn something goes terribly wrong. I awake to explosions, smoke, and darkness. Oh my God. The house is on fire. Our family is jolted from peaceful bliss and thrown into chaos – our home is totally engulfed with flames. In complete darkness, desperate to save the family, my husband begins frantically jumping in and out of windows.

Like precious obedient lambs, the three oldest boys grab their younger autistic brother and wait at the designated point for their father. Their obedience to the fire escape plan is rewarded with life and merciful 1st and 2nd degree burns. I am thrown out first but hysterically reenter the inferno—determined to reach my precious bundles – 22 month old twins. A large burning oak bookshelf falls on me. I am trapped, burning, and unable to speak above a whisper.

Shouting from the edge of the street a neighbor embraces me by pressing her head to mine—“I have six sons, get my babies.” The count never reaches six. Despite our greatest efforts, everyone did not make it. Tragically the house collapses before my husband is able to get our twin son Amos. I and the other twin are severely injured in the process. All earthly possessions lost in a matter of minutes. 

In the garden of my heart weeds of bitterness, fear, and most potent, unforgiveness had taken root. Friends counted on my faith. Many people leaned on me for support and encouragement. Even in my hospital bed at my weakest point people came to confide in me and draw strength. The dilemma was bewildering. Who could I talk to? Who would understand the intensity of the faith crisis I was in? Only God.

Through the fire

God lost a son, his only begotten son to a tragic, unjust death on the cross. “Show me,” I said, “how you dealt with the loss of your Son.” The scriptures stir in my spirit. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son John 3:16. You gave your Son to me and all things work together for good to them that love God. “But God,” I say, “even this? I cannot sit, stand, walk, or use my hands. I hurt physically and emotionally, my twin son is hurt—my other dead.” God answered me—he is not afraid of my true emotions. “My son died yet he rose and lives again—your son lives.” he says. I am challenged.

I had accepted Christ many years ago and firmly believed in the hope of eternal life. Now my son has slipped into that eternal place where I had prayed for him to be one day since his birth. I choose to embrace my faith and not abandon it. God had saved Amos. God had loaned him to me for a season and now he had taken him back. This was God’s choice. Out of faith blossomed the tender seed of hope. Hope is the heartbeat of survival. 

Waiting on God

Submitted by: Patricia Manns
 www.treasurechest.moments.com

Wait for the Lord – be strong, and let your heart take courage – wait for the Lord! Psalms 27:14

I have mixed emotions right now.  A dear friend is facing a tremendous mountain. For the past few weeks I have encouraged her along the way. But quite honestly, unless God moves on her behalf, there is no way things will change.

When God is far away

the pain of being alone

I know it is not about me but I feel helpless.  I am lifting her up in prayer yet realize my faith is also being tested.  How would I handle the situation? Would I question God? I probably would. “Where are You, I have tried everything I know to do and nothing works!” Don’t you see my situation? I can’t sleep – I sit alone, wondering when you are going to move? What is taking You so long?

We all felt that way before. Remember how you felt thinking God had abandoned you?  Everybody’s prayers appear to be answered but yours. So many good reports… so many testimonies of victory… but not you.  What have you done to deserve this?  Why God are you working for everybody but me? When will it be my turn? You are exhausted and feel like curling up in a ball and cry. Maybe you have done that and now find yourself depressed. “How did I get here again?”

Songs of faith

Praise God

I hear the song I’ll wait for You! I’ll wait for You!  A gentle voice reminds you that you are not alone. You have not been forgotten.  God, your Father, sees you. He is singing and holding you. He is ever the God who understands how we all feel.  He will see you through even if you don’t know when or where.  He knows your name – He whispers words of encouragement and wipes away your tears.

God hears our prayers

“My Child, I am here. I love you. I am holding you in the palm of my hand. Look at me and not the storm. Lay your head on my chest, it is a safe place. I will cover you with my wings and you will find rest.  Go ahead take a deep breath – once more.  Hear me say your name and then say mine. Anytime you need me, whisper my name. Jesus – Jesus – Jesus.  Rest my child I am leading you through the storm.

I now hear another song - “Where He leads me I will follow. I go with Him all the way.”

Release your burdens

Friends, even when we cannot see beyond our nose God is there waiting on us to trust Him. I know He is Love and that he loves my friend.  Though I cannot help my friend I feel her burden, but I must also release that burden to God.   He is the ultimate burden bearer.  “Great is Thy Faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see!

So I choose to trust and praise God even if I don’t know what tomorrow may bring.  God is my tomorrow. All is well with my Soul.