WHY GOD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYERS 10) Who worship idols.
Therefore thus says the Lord: "Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not
God is sovereign and can choose to answer any prayer He sees fit. But Scripture clearly
indicates that God does not listen to or answer every prayer. In fact, Scripture gives at least
fifteen reasons for unanswered prayer. God does not answer the prayer of those:
1) Who have personal and selfish motives. (May pansariling motibo)
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures
(James 4:3).
2) Who regard iniquity in their hearts. (May kasamaang nananahan sa puso)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18).
3) Who remain in sin. (Nananatili sa Kasalanan)
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face
from you, So that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). Now we know that God does not hear
sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31).
4) Who offer unworthy service to God.
"You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In
that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' But when you present the blind for
sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it
to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the
LORD of hosts. "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us?
With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the LORD of
hosts.
5) Who forsake God.
Thus says the Lord to this people: "Thus they have loved to wander; They have not restrained
their feet. Therefore the Lord does not accept them; He will remember their iniquity now, And
punish their sins." Then the Lord said to me, "Do not pray for this people, for their good.
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I
will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the
pestilence (Jeremiah 14:10-12).
6) Who reject God's call.
Because I [Wisdom] have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one
regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke.... Then
they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me
(Proverbs 1:24-25, 28).
7) Who will not heed God's law.
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination
(Proverbs 28:9). "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears
so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and
the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus
great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed
and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen," says the Lord of hosts.
(Zechariah 7:11-13).
8) Who turn a deaf ear to the cry of the poor.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, Will also cry himself and not be heard.
(Proverbs 21:13).
9) Who are violent.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many
prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:15; see also 59:2-3).
be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. Then the cities of
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer
incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the
number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of
Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. So do
not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time
that they cry out to Me because of their trouble." (Jeremiah 11:11-14; see also Ezekiel 8:15-
18).
11) Who have no faith.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven
and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the
Lord (James 1:6-7).
12) Who are living in hypocrisy.
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1).
13) Who are proud of heart.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
14) Who are self-righteous.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other
men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give
tithes of all that I possess." And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as
raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell
you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:11-14).
15) Who mistreat God's people.
You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.
They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them
(Psalm 18:40-41).You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And
the flesh from their bones; Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them,
Break their bones, And chop them in pieces, Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron.
Then they will cry to the Lord, But He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them
at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds (Micah 3:2-4).
So, does God answer the prayers of unbelievers? A strict yes or no answer is difficult without
qualifying the answer in various ways. However, it is noteworthy that the above mentioned
principles represent some of the key characteristics of an unbeliever. Thus we can safely say
that, in general, God does not answer the prayers of an unbeliever.
WHY GOD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYERS
God is sovereign and can choose to answer any prayer
He sees fit. But Scripture clearly indicates that God does
not listen to or answer every prayer. In fact, Scripture gives
at least fifteen reasons for unanswered prayer. God does
not answer the prayer of those:
1) Who have personal and selfish motives. (May
pansariling motibo)
(James 4:3)
2) Who regard iniquity in their hearts. (May kasamaang
nananahan sa puso) (Psalm 66:18).
3) Who remain in sin. (Nananatili sa Kasalanan) (Isaiah
59:2). (John 9:31)
4) Who offer unworthy service to God. (Naghahandog ng
di kanais nais sa Dios)
"You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you
say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table
of the LORD is to be despised.' But when you present the
blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the
lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your
governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he
receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. "But now will
you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to
us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any
of you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts.
5) Who forsake God. (Tinalikuran ang Panginoon at ang
Kanyang Gawain) (Jeremiah 14:10-12)
6) Who reject God's call (Tinanggihan ang panawagan ng
Dios) (Proverbs 1:24-25, 28)
. The Bible is clear that the only God hears the prayers of believers.
7) Who will not heed God's law. (Hindi sumusunod s autos
ng Dios)
(Proverbs 28:9). (Zechariah 7:11-13)
8) Who turn a deaf ear to the cry of the poor. ( Hindi
naaawa o tumutulong sa mahihirap) (Proverbs 21:13)
9) Who are violent. (Ang puso ay Violente) (Isaiah 1:15;
see also 59:2-3)
10) Who worship idols. (Sumasamba sa diyos diyosan)
(Jeremiah 11:11-14; see also Ezekiel 8:15-18)
11) Who have no faith. (Walang pananampalataya)
(James 1:6-7)
12) Who are living in hypocrisy. (Nabubuhay sa
pagkukunwari) (Luke 12:1)
13) Who are proud of heart. (Mapagmataas ang puso)
James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
14) Who are self-righteous. (Matuwid sa pansariling
paningin) (Luke 18:11-14).
15) Who mistreat God's people. (Minamaltrato ang anak
ng Dios)
(Psalm 18:40-41). (Micah 3:2-4).
In general, God does not answer the prayers of an
unbeliever. He only hears if its a prayer of repentant heart
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and humanity, the Man
Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).
It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, God's Son, can a person
have access to the living God. The Apostle Paul in describing the nature of
God said:
Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no
human has seen or can see (1 Timothy 6:16).
WHOSE PRAYER DOES GOD HEAR?
1. Those that keep His commandments
1 JOHN 3:22-33
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this
is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
2. Those that abide in Christ
JOHN 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you.
3. * Those that ask according to His will
1 JOHN 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us.
4. * Those that ask in faith
MARK 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
MATTHEW 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
5. * Those who ask for the right things for the right reasons
JAMES 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts.
6. Those that give honor to their spouse
1 PETER 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together
of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
7. * Those that are humble
LUKE 18:10-14
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other
a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even
as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes
unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the
other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted.
8. Those that are righteous
JAMES 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 PETER 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto
their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
WE MUST PRAY THROUGH CHRIST
JOHN 14:13-14
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
JOHN 16:23-24
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto
have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy
may be full.
JOHN 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
HEBREWS 7:25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God
by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
* These leave an opening for the prayers of a non-Christian to reach God -
but they still need to go through Christ.
Those that ask according to His will, believing that they will receive an
answer, who ask for the right things for the right reasons, and are humble:
those seeking salvation from God with humility and faith will be heard by
Christ, who will take it to God. Seeking salvation would qualify as being
according to His will, and as asking God for the right things.
God did hear the prayer of Cornelius before he was saved because he was
looking for salvation.
ACTS 10:2
A devout man [Cornelius], and one that feared God with all his house, which
gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
ACTS 10:4
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And
he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial
before God.
ACTS 10:30-31
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the
ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in
bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God.
WHOSE PRAYER DOES GOD HEAR? WHOSE PRAYER DOES GOD HEAR?
1. Those that keep His commandments 1. Those that keep His commandments
1 JOHN 3:22-33 1 JOHN 3:22-33
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those
things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on
the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
2. Those that abide in Christ 2. Those that abide in Christ
JOHN 15:7 JOHN 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you. you.
3. Those that ask according to His will 3. Those that ask according to His will
1 JOHN 5:14 1 JOHN 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he
heareth us. heareth us.
4. Those that ask in faith 4. Those that ask in faith
MARK 11:24 MARK 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them. them, and ye shall have them.
MATTHEW 21:22 MATTHEW 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
5. Those who ask for the right things for the right reasons 5. Those who ask for the right things for the right reasons
JAMES 4:3 JAMES 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
6. Those that give honor to their spouse 6. Those that give honor to their spouse
1 PETER 3:7 1 PETER 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as
unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not
hindered. hindered.
7. Those that are humble 7. Those that are humble
LUKE 18:10-14 LUKE 18:10-14
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of
all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man
went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
8. Those that are righteous 8. Those that are righteous
JAMES 5:16 JAMES 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 PETER 3:12 1 PETER 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but
the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

WE MUST PRAY THROUGH CHRIST WE MUST PRAY THROUGH CHRIST

JOHN 14:13-14
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
JOHN 16:23-24
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and
ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
JOHN 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father
in my name, he may give it you.
JOHN 14:13-14
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
JOHN 16:23-24
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and
ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
JOHN 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father
in my name, he may give it you.