Questions to Ask When Prayers Seem Unanswered Part 1

Questions to ask when prayer seems unanswered Is God listening?

At times David questioned Psalm 10:1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 74:11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!

At other times David knew Psalm 94:9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? Psalm 5:3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I direct my prayer to you and watch. Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

David Understood Psalm 34:7, 19, 22 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. The Lord encircles and watches over the righteous

David Understood Psalm 55:17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. The Lord stays interested and available at all times

David Understood Psalm 145:18-19 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord listens to those calling in truth and with reverence

Questions to ask when prayer seems unanswered Is God listening? Does God care?

David feared this Psalm 77:7-9 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”

David cured his doubts with facts Psalm 77:10-13 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the L ORD ; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

David cured his doubts with facts Hosea 11:3-4, 8-9 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.

Questions to ask when prayer seems unanswered Is God listening? Does God care? Am I praying in God’s will?

Hebrews 11:35-38 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11:35-38, 39 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith,…

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Sometimes we are fighting unseen battles with… PRIDE SELFISHNESS SELF- CENTEREDNESS MY OWN AGENDA ETC., ETC.

Questions to ask when prayer seems unanswered Is God listening? Does God care? Am I praying in God’s will? Is my timing God’s timing?

John 11:1, 6 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

John 11:4, 40 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Maybe God is waiting for the pray-er to learn… To glorify God To depend on God To look for God’s agenda

Questions to ask when prayer seems unanswered Is God listening? Does God care? Am I praying in God’s will? Is my timing God’s timing? Is my answer God’s answer?

Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Jesus was perfected, matured by suffering

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul learned dependence, was matured through suffering We ask for what we want, God gives us what we need

What are we finding thus far? God certainly hears and cares It is a promise to His children His timing/answer may be unexpected, but it will be for our good Do you have this privileged access?