Why does God ignore my prayers?

Question

Prove to me that he is really there because I don't see it. I was raised believing that if you tried to live right that God would answer your prayers. I have yet to see him answer one I have asked in 52 years. Is he real or just something we want to believe in that really doesn't exist? I don't asked for material things and it just never happens. Am I just believing in something that is a pipe dream? I have come to the point that I'd have to see something pretty amazing to make me believe anymore.

Answer 1

I don't serve the God of convenience....

I would also say that you have not...because you don't have faith in believing that God will actually do it...myself included. We Christians have a hard time fully trusting God.

Answer 2

"Prove to me that he is really there because I don't see it."

We, mere mortals, do not and cannot see a lot of things. Not being able to see something does not necessarily mean it does not exist. We cannot see oxygen, but we know it's there--we are breathing it! We cannot see the breeze, but we can feel it. We cannot see Napoleon Bonaparte, but it is generally accepted that he once ruled France. God shows Himself through His creation; smell the flowers, marvel at the stars above, look at the people whose lives are changed because they trust in God.

"I was raised believing that if you tried to live right that God would answer your prayers."

Think of your relationship with God as being a parent-child relationship. The child does not always know what is best; therefore, the parent does not always grant the child's wishes/demands.

Our will is not necessarily God's will. Jesus' disciples asked him to show them how to pray, he answered by teaching them the prayer we call the Our Father/The Lord's Prayer. Do take time to read and think about each line of Jesus' prayer, and pay particular attention to this line: "... May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

"I have yet to see him answer one I have asked in 52 years. Is he real or just something we want to believe in that really doesn't exist? I don't asked for material things and it just never happens. Am I just believing in something that is a pipe dream? I have come to the point that I'd have to see something pretty amazing to make me believe anymore."

I am sorry you are feeling this way. God does answer prayers, but only in His time and in His way. God is very real and is never far: faith is about believing in what one cannot see. I hope this verse from the Bible will bring you some comfort (God has not abandoned you):
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

All the best.

Answer 3

If you ask your question Why does God ignore your prayers watch "Bruce Almighty". Then you say that you have a hard time believing in God I will tell you, that I do not blame you. I believe in a form but I am totally against every church. I believe no religion is right. Have you noticed that a lot of old people go to church?Here is my theory on Church, what is the thing people want most in life? Love. Every church will always say God is Love. Does this make sense now, I am paying 10% or better. Does that make anyone else feel like they are being worked. I have a family and would like more money for them, every church I have ever stepped foot into makes me feel like I was worked by a cheap whore. I see people of religion "sin" more then any other group in the world. Why, they are "forgiven" and the rest of us just may be saps. I know I can love myself enough to forgive me, Can I make my love have the court system forgive me that is what all the people like Hitler, Charles Manson, and Osama Bin Ladin ask them selfs. All 3 men were all God loving men, may not have been the same god but all were very religious men.

Answer 4

Many times I've thought there wasn't a god. I continued to pray anyway and keep the faith.
Then somehow my prayers were answered because the things I prayed for happened.
God does hear our prayers,and knows what our needs and wants may be,but he doesn't always give us the answer we like. I believe he watches over all his children but he cannot protect their hearts from pain. If things are meant to be then god has chosen to make it happen,if not we have to accept what is dealt to us. Never give up on god,just keep believing and have faith in him.
My sincerest wishes to you.

Answer 5

First off this is the wrong place to ask such a question with so many worldly people able to answer. God way to often answers my prayers but not in a way that I expected or specifically wanted.
James 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (NIV)
You may not be asking for material things, but what you might be asking for you may be doing to only benefit yourself. Even if you are asking to heal someone who is sick or for a friendship to be healed. Are you asking truely to benefit someone else or yourself? Jesus died not for his good but ours. And that is how we are to live our lives as Christians, as a blessing to others. Not worrying about how good or bad our life is, because our ultimate blessing is at the end when we go to Him in glory, forever.
Keep your eyes and heart open. Ask Him to help you do this and you will begin to see His blessings.
I asked for a job driving big truck with FedEx 3 years ago. One week before my interview I broke my leg and couldn't drive for four months. I broke it during a church play. Why God why...I asked. No answer. I applied for the same job two years later after I stopped asking why...and I got it. I just found out that the job I was on fired everybody at once. They all came in one day and where told that the company sold all the trucks and they no longer had a job. If I got the job with FedEx three years I may not have even noticed how God protected me from that.
Heb 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)
If you have read this far remember that the Lord rewards the faithful. And answers to prayer are in His timing not ours.
Isa 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. (NIV)
We think the answer to prayer should be in our way and our time...not so.
God is making you wait, to build you to be stronger. Patience is like a muscle and only gets stronger when used...same with faith.
James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)
Stay strong. Being a Christian doesnt automatically happen, it is a conscience willful effort every day. Lean on Him who makes you strong and dont believe Satan's lies, for he is the father of lies and wants you to give up...and will be victorious if you do. Dont give him that pleasure.

Answer 6

I've asked God for alot in my life and some prayers r answered the way I would like them 2 b answered and others...not so much....
When m y daughter leaves the house, I ask God 2 b with her, keep her safe, let her make the right decisions, etc
So far, I seem 2 get his answer the way I'd like 2 c it happen.
The qstn though, is God granting my prayer for my daughter's safety, etc? ...or does God have another reason he keeps my daughter out of trouble?
What about when God took my Wife? That certainly was NOT something I wanted and in fact, My wife dying was probably against anything I had ever prayed for, regarding her welfare. Y didn't God listen 2 me then? ..or did God have a different plan for my Wife?
God has plan for all of us and though we may never see the fruits of our prayers, in the way we'd like 2 c them, understand that God is with you and is always answering u by showing u the path he would like u 2 follow. Open your heart and soul a little broader and u'll start seeing what God has planned for you.

Answer 7

I've been there too (and Christians, let's face it at one point or another we've been there to some degree)

A few years back my father was very very ill, and it was months of him in and out of the hospital. I prayed like I had never prayed before, and was convinced that God would spare my father.

As I was going through this, I spoke to a friend who is very religious and she said to me "I know that you want God to keep your Father here, but what if that's not the best thing for him? I think you need to pray for God for the strength to get you through this and to give you the strength to abide and trust his will."

I was in so much pain that I did precisley that, and through his Grace I found peace. When my father finally passed away, I knew that he was now with God, and that I will see him again soon.

God isn't a magician that waves a magic wand and does whatever we want him to do. He has a plan for us, and we have to trust that he knows what he's doing, in his time not ours.

God Bless you and peace to you!

Answer 8

Oh, dear.
You must know that it doesn't work that way.
I know that God has answered my prayers, many times.
But if you are looking for something "pretty amazing", then I'm afraid you are in for a huge disappointment.

For some reason, that scene from 'Jesus Christ, Super Star', where Herod sings to Jesus, Who is about to be crucified, "Prove to me that You're no fool...walk across my swimming pool" comes to mind.
God does not do command performances.

"A wicked generation is looking for a sign, but no sign will be given..."
Jesus Christ.

EDIT:
Look at you...52 years old, sitting in a decent house, with electricity, running water, a stove and a refrigerator, in front of a computer goofing around on the internet, when all over the world, people are living in abject poverty.
Bet you had plenty to eat today, have enough clothes to wear, and a car to drive, too.
And then, you have the nerve to whine that God didn't show you something "pretty amazing".
Spoiled brat....

Answer 9

Oh my poor dear. Sadly, there is no way to prove that god exists. I do not think he does. He is merely a man made answer to all our questions, though he is not factual. That's why he does not answer your prayers, because he can't, because he is a man made myth gone haywire. I am very sorry to tell you that there is no higher being. But YOU can now steer your life, it is YOU not god that controls your life. You can make your own morals and follow your own values, you can take control of your own life. If you are intellegent enough you do not need a god or religion or faith because you have yourself and your knowledge of right or wrong. I sincerly hope you are that smart so that you don't have to believe a lie in order not to do anything stupid and you can make your own plan for yourself. Have a nice day.

Answer 10

There isn't a physical way to prove the existence of God. It is FAITH that he exists that makes you believe. It has to be about YOU and God, not how I show you the physical existence. God doesn't answer ALL prayers. His not answering is your answer, maybe. If everyone prayed to win the lottery everyone would get a buck 98...understand? Find a church or if you go to one now, talk to the minister. They may be able to help you answer some questions. If you ask questions about a "pipe dream", you will get every Yahoo looney out there negatively pouncing on your question and feelings. What do you NEED to see to make you believe?? Just feel it. {{HUGS}}

Answer 11

He has given you 52 or more years , That is a prayer answered. You have family and friends, that too is a blessing. God does not always say yes, because he knows what is best for us. We only think we do.He exist because we exist. Without him there is no us. We you really want to know him just spend some special time with him He speaks to us in so many ways. sometimes to our mind, other times through other people. Keep praying and believing.