Why doesn't prayer work?

[darktipper]

Everytime I pray for something nothing happens. Other people I know pray and their prayers get answered. I am falling behind and failing at life when it comes to my peers and relatives. I think that I waste my time praying at night.

 

[Soverinth]

Everytime I pray for something nothing happens. Other people I know pray and their prayers get answered. I am falling behind and failing at life when it comes to my peers and relatives. I think that I waste my time praying at night.

Prayer works, but it depends on what that prayer is for.

Most of the time when we pray and ask for something, the answer is not usually an instant thing, and it really depends on what your asking.

If it doesn't line up with Gods will or He doesn't like the idea of what your asking then most likely He will just say no. This also falls into place if what your asking for is something selfish, or something un-needed.

 

[madetoworship]

God answers every prayer. Sometimes we need to either be patient for an answer as it won't be immediate or in the timing we want. Sometimes God just says no.

Types of answers that God may be giving you:

1. "Wait child have faith. In my timing, I will give you something even greater than you are praying for."

2. "No. That is not something that aligns with my Will."

 

[Spunkn]

God's timing is His own. We often want things done, right now, our way, and how we think it should be done. But God is higher than us, He is the creator of the universe. He will do things His way, because it's the best way. And that may mean we have to wait and be patient because right now is not the right time. That may mean we have to accept an answer different from our own. It may mean we need to accept an answer, that we don't even like.

Prayer is not like instant cocoa. Just add water and there you go. Sometimes yes, prayer can see a result instantly, but usually that is not the case. Prayer is often answered in ways we don't expect, at times we don't expect.

I still think that prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do though, and I've seen results directly at times. Not often, but it has happened.

 

[Aibrean]

It's taken me years to get answers to prayer. Case in point: my signature (although that's not the only one). It was in fact shortly after I gave up my idea of having a child/being able to have a child and being okay with it if it were God's will that I discovered I was pregnant. This was after a year of infertility treatments, not responding to any meds (which also would make me unable to go through IUI/IVF), and having to have surgery which gave less than a 50% chance I would be able to conceive naturally. I'm not only due on a Sunday. I'm due on Mother's Day.

 

[parsley]

Mother's Day, how cool!

Prayer works, but it depends on what that prayer is for.

Are you praying for other people, for God's will to be done, for basic needs to be met, for your government and leaders, your church, your extended family's health....

I think most of us will be embarrassed to see what percentage of our prayers were whining.

I have seen some significant changes when I stood on the Word of God. His Word is life. If God makes a statement, He would stand behind that statement. Not that we could coerce Him into proving Himself, but that we understand what the dynamics are.
He might feel it is more important to teach you how to pray, than to meet every request immediately.

A musical instrument teacher will tell students not to practice wrong fingering -- to read and get it right before playing, bc memorizing the wrong notes will make playing the song even harder.

Jesus taught how to pray, with the Lord's prayer. Lead yourself through it every day, to cover the full span, the prayer balanced. Go slowly through each step of the Lord's Prayer. It will convict us too -- if we expect God to forgive our debts, we should forgive our debtors. If we expect God to respond to us, we should respond to Him. But that inner conviction will be different for each person.

In our heads we banter over whether we deserve something or not. But God's Word says our childhood provision is not about deserving. He is our Father, and He takes care of us even if we broke the window with a baseball. Our confidence is in Him, not in our own deserving.

 

[ezeric]

Wow Aibrean

Praise the LORD!

That is one of the keys to getting prayers answered.

Because it's GRACE alone.
Nothing she could do, was good enough.
Everything should have worked, but didn't ...hopes then disappointments.

Then like the publican in Luke 18
This guy, the public didn't like, the tax collector...hated by everyone.
(even though 'public' is in his name).

Fallen on the floor, not able to 'do it anymore', tired and broken, confused and crippled.

JESUS said "only one went home righteous".
Only one got their prayers answered.

Aibrean, what a gift and what a mothers day!
And what a precious example to answers to prayer!

-eric


the-exchanged-life.blogspot.com

 

[Hidden101]

2. "No. That is not something that aligns with my Will."

Rather than giving you something you want, I would much rather you suffer because it is my will. That is what I got out of that particular answer anyway, though I am sure you mean something else.

 

[SkyBlade]

I learned these four basic things a person should put in prayer a few years ago:


1. Praise God for being the awesome God he is. Praise Him for the great traits he has (merciful, gracious, powerful, etc.)

2. Thank God for all He's done for you. In my opinion by far the best thing He's done for us is send His Son to die for us!!

3. Repent for any sin you've committed. He'll forgive anything.

4. Ask for things for yourself and others. Just remember to say "If its your will". Then trust that He'll do what's best. He will. Also it would be godly to pray for things like living for Christ the best you can and asking to be filled with the Spirit.

 

[Aibrean]

Rather than giving you something you want, I would much rather you suffer because it is my will. That is what I got out of that particular answer anyway, though I am sure you mean something else.

Want is vastly different from need. Our ways are not God's ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Sometimes we must suffer for God's glory.

1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


Remember, the suffering on earth is NOTHING compared to the eternity we will spend in paradise.

 

[Barricade24]

I have a bit of information on this topic but I sugget reading this article. It may help you understand.

How should a Christian respond to unanswered prayer?

 

[Hidden101]

Want is vastly different from need. Sometimes we must suffer for God's glory.


1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


Remember, the suffering on earth is NOTHING compared to the eternity we will spend in paradise.

What some may perceive as a need, others may perceive as a want. Anyway, with this needs and wants, why does God let people suffer from medical conditions for and refuses to answer their prayers?

 

[Aibrean]

Is not salvation the greatest cure from disease? Sometimes death IS the answer to prayer.

 

[motherprayer]

Ya gotta be willing to listen for His direction

Often, when we need a miracle, God shows up with a plan. He will guide us in what He desires for us, and yes, that sometimes means going through a period of trials before we get our answer. It DOESN'T mean His will is for us to suffer, as all things work for the good of those who love Him. It DOES mean that IF we suffer and we faint not, we will grow in faith.

When my marriage was failing, I prayed to God to restore it. For the longest time He was silent, and then when He DID show up with direction, He told me to leave. Not to divorce, but leave. He said if I followed Him, He would heal my husband's heart and restore my marriage.

And He did. We've been reconciled now longer than we were separated, and all because the Lord guided me - just me, as my husband had given up at that point - to do His will.

 

[amandatea]

When you line your desires up with God's desires, and your values are God's values, He will give you what you want : in the context of it being what He wants. Sometimes it takes longer than we like but God only gives us what is best and with perfect timing.
If you are treating God like a vending machine and that's the only way you ever acknowledge his existence, you probably won't get what you want - not stating this is you, just and example.

 

[Hidden101]

Is not salvation the greatest cure from disease? Sometimes death IS the answer to prayer.

Yes, however, some people suffer less than others. You can full stop that one.
Making death the answer to prayer just makes Christianity sound like a death cult. Is Christianity a death cult? Are we not supposed to be happy to be alive?

 

[Aibrean]

Yes, however, some people suffer less than others. You can full stop that one.
Making death the answer to prayer just makes Christianity sound like a death cult. Is Christianity a death cult? Are we not supposed to be happy to be alive?

God only gives us what we can handle. You should probably read Job.

A Christian's purpose is to fulfill the will of God. We can be happy in life (the Christian walk is certainly not easy), but we will be even happier in death. Our mortal life is only the beginning - it's not permanent. Some Christians deaths have resulted in multiple people being led to Christ.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

 

[parsley]

I am falling behind and failing at life when it comes to my peers and relatives. I think that I waste my time praying at night.

The other part of your statement... where you stand in life. That's a whole topic in itself. Make sure that you are not sitting waiting for God to change your life. Get out there in contact with people who can help you make it happen. Research what training you will need to get where you want to be. Sell yourself more effectively -- show others what they will gain by having you around.

I don't know your situation, but I've heard some stories lately of unemployed people posting on Facebook what a terrible employer they had, how their school program was a waste of time, how many hours they played an online game, how many texts they racked up. How they racked up credit card debt, made bad bf/gf choices... on and on.

All of that is easily searchable by people in positions to offer you opportunities. Make sure that what you show the world about yourself is trustworthy, sensible, and reliable.

Maybe you're not that way at all... just make sure you're not blaming God and then sabotaging His efforts.

 

[Pal Handy]

Everytime I pray for something nothing happens. Other people I know pray and their prayers get answered. I am falling behind and failing at life when it comes to my peers and relatives. I think that I waste my time praying at night.

What do you feed on?

What is in your heart?

Do you give yourself to God in Christ or do you keep yourself
for your own self as you desire that God would be your genie
that you can let out of the bottle when you want something.

God wants all of you not just the parts you want to give Him when you
want something from Him.

God answers the prayers of those who trust in Him and part of that trust is
not just what you say but what you do.

Those that get their prayers answered are those who have
surrendered themselves to God without any conditions or ulterior motives.

God sees all your heart and motives so until you are ready to get
serious with Him and invite Him into every area of your life, I doubt
you will see the success that other enjoy in prayer.

You are already frustrated with God so this shows me your heart is
not right with Him as you come to Him as if He needs to perform
for you to keep you interested instead of seeing that you need to surrender your life
completely to God in Christ.

The truth is God has already done it all for you in Christ by Him dying for
your sins and so now it is your turn to die to your own self and live for God in Christ.

God is God alone and there is no room for another.

 

[Spunkn]

It's taken me years to get answers to prayer. Case in point: my signature (although that's not the only one). It was in fact shortly after I gave up my idea of having a child/being able to have a child and being okay with it if it were God's will that I discovered I was pregnant. This was after a year of infertility treatments, not responding to any meds (which also would make me unable to go through IUI/IVF), and having to have surgery which gave less than a 50% chance I would be able to conceive naturally. I'm not only due on a Sunday. I'm due on Mother's Day.

That's so cool, and not a coincidence. Congratulations