Christians: When God doesn't answer your prayers...?

Question

What do you think?

Answer 1

here comes the. "he does...sometimes he just says no" crap.
only he never says no....he just doesn't do anything....and you are left to wonder, 'does this mean no, should i pray again, or does god just need more time?"

if you prayed to the dasani water bottle on your desk, you'd get identical results....maybe we should start a water religion.

Answer 2

Good question!!

I used to work in the Army where I had a security clearance and I got used to the idea that I did not have "a need to know" some things. I know that God knows all, and I trust Him and I understand that He knows more about what is going on than I do.

Back between 2000 and 2003 I worked at small lawfirm in downtown Houston. I used to walk through the Enron building to get to my lunch spot. Now if you have never seen the ENRON building, it is SWEET. They had three beautiful skyscrapers built and all connected by interior walk ways...Enron had a ton of employee benefits, and one of them was an on-site gym. I would go to lunch right past the Enron gym, and look in and see all these folks who were making money hand over fist, working out on their lunch hour in this GREAT gym that their company provided as a benefit.

Well I would walk past and think "Man, if I was worth anything I'd be working there! God why can't I work at Enron?" I used to pray to get a job at Enron... because at the time nobody knew that it was all a scam, nobody knew just how morally bankrupt the Enron folks were. I thought it would be a great job with great people and great pay... (see how little I knew?).

Except that God knew... so He did not give me the answer to my prayer that I wanted... I never did get the job at Enron... and I am WAY better off for not having gotten the job I wanted there.

So now I just trust Him and that He knows best.

Answer 3

I know that God always answers my prayers. Just because I don't get what I ask for does not mean He has not answered my prayers. If I trust Him with my life then I trust Him to do what is perfect. Many times I have prayed for things that would hurt me in the long run unknowing to me at the time. If God gave me everything I ask for when I want it I would have destroyed myself because they were selfish, and something to gratify my sinful nature. I use the prayers in Colossians and Philippians because I know that I am praying in the will of God when I pray these prayers. My trust in my Lord keeps me from getting disappointed.

Answer 4

Interesting that most of the comments regard praying as a wish list. Prayer is conversation with God. Conversation implies two or more parties taking part. God always answers my prayers as He is one of the parties involved. And no, I don't hear little voices in my head. I hear Him in my heart and through His word.

Answer 5

Things happen in God's time. Not every prayer request is God's will.

Answer 6

God answers prayers . As a child who asks his or her Father for something would the father not answer them? What kind of father would He be not to answer His children when they ask of Him? Check your spiritual walk and His Word, for Jesus plainly stated, "when you pray, BELIEVE that you receive it and it shall be done unto you.

Answer 7

I will answer this way: a friend was having trouble with her marriage, and she prayed to restore it. It wasn't answered the way she wanted--but she was praying for the wrong thing IMO. She needed to pray to know what God had in her future, which she assumed was continuing with the person with whom she was married. Unfortunately, his hard-heartedness won out and he never changed (abuse here). She is now divorced and is fine with it, because she realizes this is the direction for her life.

Others here are correct, wish I had the passages to show. In His time, not ours. For His plan, not ours. I've found I am usually happier than had I continued on my own merry way.

Answer 8

I am not religious but I do hope and wish for better lives for those multitudes of us that can't eat everyday, are subject to continuous war, suffer violence by pedophiles etc. I do not pray but I hope I hope for the right things. If your God really answers your prayers please pray for those who are suffering.

Answer 9

God answers prayers.
His will and not ours.

Answer 10

I don't ask God for answers. I understand that I have inherited all that I need to know through God. The temple is within. But, it would also be wise to seek out a wise person and ask them.

Answer 11

God answers each and every prayer,it may not be the answer you want or he may not answer it fast enough for you ,but in time they are answered.