What do you do if you pray to God for help and he keeps saying no?

Question

My Mom and I need help in different areas of life and I ask God to help us both but He keeps saying no and we continue to struggle.

Answer 1

How do you know He is saying no. God does things on His own time and He knows us better than we know ourselves. My family and I have been struggling financially for a long time and I have prayed and asked God for help. I try to live as He wants me to live and kept wondering when we would get out of this mess. My prayers were answered recently and my hubby got a great promotion where we will finally do better financially. Thinking about it now though, over the years when we were struggling we were able to form a stronger bond as a family and we were able to see the little forms of help that we needed to see. God doesn't just give things, He puts His people in place to help. I realized how wonderful our families and friends were. They helped us out a lot and are always there when we needed them. We were able to trust people too. That helps. My husband was a pretty heavy drinker and a non Christian. Not having money has cemented me more in my faith and we also didn't have the extra money for liquor. Maybe that is a step in God's direction for eternal life for my husband. My children have been able to learn that money is not everything. They are able to bond closer to each other and that doesn't go away. There are little blessings that we choose not to see when troubles are in our way. I have learned not to take anyone or anything for granted. Stay strong and keep praying. Take the time to appreciate the things God has done for you. Don't give up on Him. He wants us to do well. He doesn't want us to suffer, but he does want us to learn and see things we haven't been able to see and learn before. I will pray for you and your mom. God will answer your prayers. Don't forget to thank Him for what He has given you. One thing I can point out is that He gave you each other. I'm sure you will find more. You will both be in my prayers. God bless.

Answer 2

What do I do?

It depends, really on the situation. Sometimes it turns out I was asking for something I had no business asking for and of course God said no and I accept that God knows far more than I do.

And sometimes it turns out that my struggles are there because there's a lesson I need to learn, an experience and wisdom I must gain and I've got to go through this because, sadly, it's the only way to get that lesson through my thick skull. And once that lightbulb goes off - I know why it *seemed* like God wasn't answering me.

And then there are other times when He has already answered them, but because it wasn't the answer *I* wanted, I ignored what was right in front of me and paid for my arrogance until I figured it out.

Without knowing your circumstances, I have no idea if any of this would help - but that basically sums up my experiences.

Answer 3

If someone tells you to call them for help, but, the person who gives you their number, gives a Wrong number to you, are you going to reach the one who asked you to call? Perhaps you've either been given a wrong number, or the wrong instructions as to what you can reasonably expect from making a call. Please consider what the Bible itself has to say regarding our prayers:

How Should We Pray?
- "Teach Us How to Pray"
http://watchtower.org/e/19960715/article_01.htm

Does Praying Do Any Good? :
- Why do People Pray?
- Does Anyone Hear Prayers?
- Are All Prayers Heard?
WHY Should You Pray?
- Prayer Can Solve Problems
- When All Prayers Will Be Answered
http://watchtower.org/e/20001115/article_01.htm

"You Must Pray This Way"
The Lord's Prayer--Its Meaning for You
- What Is God's Name? < ("Hallowed be thy name")
- God's Will to Take Place on Earth
- Prayer and Our Physical Needs
- Our Prayers and Forgiveness
- Help to Pursue a Righteous Course
- Faith in God Is Essential
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/9/15/article_01.htm

Might it be that what you are requesting is not according to his will, or, that your very mode of asking may not be in harmony with his requirements ... ?

Prayers That Are Heard by God ...
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20020908a/article_01.htm

Should You Pray to the Virgin Mary?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050908a/article_01.htm

http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm
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Answer 4

Many times when we pray, we pray for our wants and desires. These things are NOT always Gods wants and desires for us. If God is saying no to your prayers then it isn't His will for you, or at least not at this time. We all have struggles, and these struggles, if handled right, make us stronger and better people. If you believe in God then you also know that there are times that we will be tested. This is what build our faith and deepens our relationship with the Lord. SO, with that said, try to embrace your struggle, and trust God to work in your life....In His time not yours.

Answer 5

God will answer in his own timing. In his own way. If it is not his will for you, then pray to understand what is. And when you pray, pray with belief. That things can happen and things can change. Struggling is a good thing. You grow from it. Maybe you still have something to gain from this experience.

Answer 6

You have to ask yourself a few questions. How do you know he's saying no? Are you praying according to His will? Are you acting in harmony with your prayer? For instance, would you pray for help to quit smoking as you're lighting up a cigarette?

Also, he does not hear all prayers. If you knowingly are not living your life in accord with is standards, he does not hear your prayer. Proverbs 28:9 states, He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is something detestable.

Most importantly, you must be praying to the right God. Jesus himself tells us to pray to his father, Jehovah, through, or in the name of Jesus.

Answer 7

If I understood everything about God then I'd be on his level, which I am far from, so I trust that things happen for a reason even if I don't have the foresight to know what the reason is. Either something isn't meant to be or I'm not approaching it in the right way.

Answer 8

Please understand that the cause of struggle does not come from God.

(James 1:13) “13 When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.”

Also when someone is going through a bad time for even quite a while that does not mean one is doing something bad, especially if you are trying to be like Christ & practice righteousness, in ones imperfect state.

(Psalm 34:19-20) “19 Many are the calamities of the righteous one, But out of them all Jehovah delivers him. ? [Shin] . . .”

--Sometimes the help we get from God's holy spirit is a matter of helping us with endurance: Please note

(1 Corinthians 10:13) “13 No temptation(or difficulty--my comment) has taken YOU except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let YOU be tempted beyond what YOU can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for YOU to be able to endure it.”

Please note the recommendation that Christ gave for persistency in prayer.

(Luke 11:5-13) “5 Further, he said to them: “Who of YOU will have a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves, 6 because a friend of mine has just come to me on a journey and I have nothing to set before him’? 7 And that one from inside says in reply, ‘Quit making me trouble. The door is already locked, and my young children are with me in bed; I cannot rise up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell YOU, Although he will not rise up and give him anything because of being his friend, certainly because of his bold persistence he will get up and give him what things he needs. 9 Accordingly I say to YOU, Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. 10 For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened. 11 Indeed, which father is there among YOU who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? 13 Therefore, if YOU, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to YOUR children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!””

My wife & I of 37 years continue to struggle with our finances because of health & other matters but we have always felt God's rescuing hand sometimes as the need would be even daily.

If you are from the U.S.A --sometimes because of the affluency here, people think they haven't been doing what is right(commercially) if they are poor or not able to meet their bills on time. Many time its just circumstances.

Here is the situation that we all suffer at times more or less:

(Ecclesiastes 9:11-12) “11 I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all. 1. . .”

May God continue to bless you, even though you may not realize he is.

Answer 9

I have had this happen several times... And I thought I was not asking for much... I could not understand it.. I don't know how to tell you... but later when I wasnt expecting it, I thought he had forgotten me..

I realized he didnt.. and I also realized that had he has perfect timing.. because everything worked out even better.

I am kind of there again.. I need help from him.. I don't know how he will help me.. but I know he will.

Faith is not a season.. but all year long.. Never Give Up!

Answer 10

Keep praying. Maybe he's not saying No, he could just be saying Not now.