Why doesn't prayer work?

RLM0501 · Feb 26, 2013

darktipper said:
For example. I can pray to be cured of an ailment(s) for years and even go to the doctor and nothing will get done especially if the doctor tells you that the ailment may be one of those things you have to live with for the rest of your lifetime.....

I have had people pray for me on certain things and nothing has happened....

It seems like my prayers are being ignored or perhaps I am not saying the right words or not on my knees when I pray.. who knows

Brother let me tell you something. The reason your prayers are not being answered is YOU HAVE NO FAITH! You have stated many times here that you arent sure, you just dont know....take some time, sit down, read the Bible, seek God, get in Church, seek him....then WITH FAITH you ask for the things you NEED that are not selfish nor un-holy and God will bless you then and only then. I will be praying deeply and whole-heartedly for the blessing of Faith in the Spirit to come upon you Brother! I ask all those associated with this thread, that have tried to help, to do the same! In the name of Jesus! Glory be to God! AMEN!

darktipper · Mar 18, 2013

RLM0501 said:
Brother let me tell you something. The reason your prayers are not being answered is YOU HAVE NO FAITH! You have stated many times here that you arent sure, you just dont know....take some time, sit down, read the Bible, seek God, get in Church, seek him....then WITH FAITH you ask for the things you NEED that are not selfish nor un-holy and God will bless you then and only then. I will be praying deeply and whole-heartedly for the blessing of Faith in the Spirit to come upon you Brother! I ask all those associated with this thread, that have tried to help, to do the same! In the name of Jesus! Glory be to God! AMEN!

I have been praying for the same thing for years...... No results. People told me that they would pray for me..... No results. I can sit there and try to imagine talking to god while praying ..No results. There is a reason why I kind of feel like when I call, I think God looks at the caller ID and goes oh it is him again.....then hits ignore or walks away from the phone

motherprayer · Mar 18, 2013

darktipper said:
I have been praying for the same thing for years...... No results. People told me that they would pray for me..... No results. I can sit there and try to imagine talking to god while praying ..No results. There is a reason why I kind of feel like when I call, I think God looks at the caller ID and goes oh it is him again.....then hits ignore or walks away from the phone

I hope to offer some encouragement. I have experienced EXACTLY what you describe. It is frustrating.

It isn't about your faith. It is about things God knows that we can't possibly know. Here is an example.

Last year my tax return got delayed. I prayed to God for favor with it, especially when I lost one job and had to wait 2 months for another one. So hard, in fact, that I couldn't see how God made provision for me during those 2 months, because I was so focused on that blasted return. Like, inexplicably my electric bill got paid - what?!

So the new job payed pretty well, and the delay got pushed to the back of my mind. But, 3 months later (this is October and I still hadn't seen the return yet) I got laid off. Apparently they wanted to cut costs by eliminating my position. Well guess what. That return that I had prayed so hard to get 5 months back FINALLY came in, exactly at the time I needed it, after the last paycheck came and I was in need of rent money.

God's got a knowledge of things that we don't see. People can believe what they will, but I firmly rest in my beliefs that He had a hand in keeping that return away from me until it would be absolutely needed.

It isn't that He doesn't answer, but that often He has a plan for us that is different (and better!) than our own plan.

Be abundantly blessed! I pray He gives you peace and wisdom!

TheyCallMeDave · Mar 18, 2013

darktipper said:
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.

Im afraid that your very last sentence is perhaps the biggest reason why your Prayers remain unanswered. You see, when we come to God our Heavenly Father in prayer, we must first have the faith to believe that he does hear us, he is interested in our life and needs, he is willing to answer your specific prayer with either a yes, no, wait, not right now for this season in your life ... and that your prayer must fall in line with his will and cannot violate any scriptural principle or Gods very nature, character, or Person. If your request serves to advance the Kingdom of God in some way, then, so much the better .

So, based on what ive said here which is from the Bible, how well do you think you are meeting the above concerning this specific prayer request you have ?

theophilus40 · Mar 19, 2013

Darktipper, I just looked at your profile and I saw two things there that might be the reason for your problem.

Under church you wrote "I read the bible alone." Why don't you attend church? Is it because you don't have the opportunity or because you choose not to do so? Christians are members of one body and each of us has been given spiritual gifts that we are to exercise for the benefit of the whole body. The reason local churches meet is to provide a place for us to meet together so we can use our gifts to help each other. Failure to use your gifts is a sin that could keep God from answering your prayer.

If there is some reason you can't attend church then this can't be the reason. God knows our circumstances and won't hold us accountable for something we aren't able to do.

The second thing I saw is that you use the New World Translation of the Bible. Are you aware of the fact that this translation is published by the Jehovah's Witnesses and in some places is mistranslated so that it will support their false teachings? You can find out about some of these translation errors here:

Bad Translations of the Jehovah's Witness Bible, the New World Translation (NWT). | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Why did you choose this translation in the first place? Are any of your beliefs based on Jehovah's Witness teachings? If that is the case you might not even be saved because they teach a false gospel. Here is a good place to find out more about their teachings:

Witnesses in Transition - Jehovah's Witnesses Home Page

You can learn more about what the Bible really teaches about salvation here:

Answers for Seekers | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

You should follow the advice Paul gave in 2 Corinthians 13:5:

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

darktipper · Mar 22, 2013

motherprayer said:
I hope to offer some encouragement. I have experienced EXACTLY what you describe. It is frustrating.

It isn't about your faith. It is about things God knows that we can't possibly know. Here is an example.

Last year my tax return got delayed. I prayed to God for favor with it, especially when I lost one job and had to wait 2 months for another one. So hard, in fact, that I couldn't see how God made provision for me during those 2 months, because I was so focused on that blasted return. Like, inexplicably my electric bill got paid - what?!

So the new job payed pretty well, and the delay got pushed to the back of my mind. But, 3 months later (this is October and I still hadn't seen the return yet) I got laid off. Apparently they wanted to cut costs by eliminating my position. Well guess what. That return that I had prayed so hard to get 5 months back FINALLY came in, exactly at the time I needed it, after the last paycheck came and I was in need of rent money.

God's got a knowledge of things that we don't see. People can believe what they will, but I firmly rest in my beliefs that He had a hand in keeping that return away from me until it would be absolutely needed.

It isn't that He doesn't answer, but that often He has a plan for us that is different (and better!) than our own plan.

Be abundantly blessed! I pray He gives you peace and wisdom!

It is frustrating....

TheyCallMeDave said:
Im afraid that your very last sentence is perhaps the biggest reason why your Prayers remain unanswered. You see, when we come to God our Heavenly Father in prayer, we must first have the faith to believe that he does hear us, he is interested in our life and needs, he is willing to answer your specific prayer with either a yes, no, wait, not right now for this season in your life ... and that your prayer must fall in line with his will and cannot violate any scriptural principle or Gods very nature, character, or Person. If your request serves to advance the Kingdom of God in some way, then, so much the better .

So, based on what ive said here which is from the Bible, how well do you think you are meeting the above concerning this specific prayer request you have ?

I just talk when I pray. Sometimes I try to imagine talking to God if that helps..

theophilus40 said:
Darktipper, I just looked at your profile and I saw two things there that might be the reason for your problem.

Under church you wrote "I read the bible alone." Why don't you attend church? Is it because you don't have the opportunity or because you choose not to do so? Christians are members of one body and each of us has been given spiritual gifts that we are to exercise for the benefit of the whole body. The reason local churches meet is to provide a place for us to meet together so we can use our gifts to help each other. Failure to use your gifts is a sin that could keep God from answering your prayer.

If there is some reason you can't attend church then this can't be the reason. God knows our circumstances and won't hold us accountable for something we aren't able to do.

The second thing I saw is that you use the New World Translation of the Bible. Are you aware of the fact that this translation is published by the Jehovah's Witnesses and in some places is mistranslated so that it will support their false teachings? You can find out about some of these translation errors here:

Bad Translations of the Jehovah's Witness Bible, the New World Translation (NWT). | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Why did you choose this translation in the first place? Are any of your beliefs based on Jehovah's Witness teachings? If that is the case you might not even be saved because they teach a false gospel. Here is a good place to find out more about their teachings:

Witnesses in Transition - Jehovah's Witnesses Home Page

You can learn more about what the Bible really teaches about salvation here:

Answers for Seekers | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

You should follow the advice Paul gave in 2 Corinthians 13:5:
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

I have JWs in my family and that is how I got that version of the book. I can understand it better than my old English and new testament book I got from a Jewish guy out side of my school one day looooooooooooooong time ago.
I know some of the words are different in the NWT version but the overall message of the tales are the same. One example is they say stake or plank instead of cross... But overall you know that Jesus died for our sins. The plank/cross does not matter.

I am still praying that my tinnitus gets heal... There is not cure for it....

fuji · Mar 22, 2013

darktipper said:
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.

I feel ya. I think if we were honest with ourselves we have probably all felt this way.

I think of prayer now as a kind of meditation. Where I am not just praying to God, but meditate to it with a clear mind and lots of pauses(I dont think God cares how slow we talk to him ). So yeah, Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You dont have to be a master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.

CGL1023 · Mar 22, 2013

darktipper said:
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.

With respect, I believe you are misapplying the Word. Reason it out; is the imperfect human correct or is the perfect God and His perfect Word correct?

Echetus · Mar 22, 2013

Be extremely careful what you pray for. Theres Prosperity, Revelation, and Justice. These are Omnipotent words. I would pray for Revelation. Revelation is when God reveals His Will to you. Prosperity is when God reveals His purpose for you. And Justice is when God reveals His Righteousness.
According to the Bible, we will be Blessed in every Material thing, in every Spiritual Blessing, and in all Victory over our enemies.

theophilus40 · Mar 22, 2013

darktipper said:
I have JWs in my family and that is how I got that version of the book. I can understand it better than my old English and new testament book I got from a Jewish guy out side of my school one day looooooooooooooong time ago.

There are other modern translations beside the NWT. I use the English Standard Version. You can find out more about it here:

About ESVBible.org | ESVBible.org

I am still praying that my tinnitus gets heal... There is not cure for it....

I understand what you are going through. I have tinnitus and I have often prayed for God to cure it but so far nothing has happened. But sometimes God has a reason for not answering some of our prayers. Even the apostle Paul didn't get everything he prayed for.

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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

My poor hearing sometimes makes communication with others difficult but it hasn't kept me from serving God. He has given me opportunities to share the gospel by means of computer, where inability to hear isn't a handicap. I have no way of knowing what my life would be like if I could hear better. It is possible that I would be exposed to some temptation that I am now protected from. Romans 8:28 says that God causes ALL things to work together for good for those who love him. That includes even disabilities such as not being able to hear well.

darktipper · Mar 22, 2013

Sometimes the ringing and static sounds drive me nuts.... and it messes with my sleep. I will have to end up living with this for the next 50 plus years all from a really bad head cold I got in the past. One night I woke up in a panic due to the noise. I was ready to yell....

I forgot to post that sometimes I do comparisons of verses via internet on a few sites to get different inputs.....

gideon123 · Mar 22, 2013

WHAT is the purpose of prayer ... really?

Is it just so we can ask and get what we want? Is God a bigger version of Santa Claus?

Is it so we can live life with zero pain? Is God a bigger version of Tylenol?

Is it so we can seek revenge on those who hurt us? Is God a bigger version of Chuck Norris?

Is it so we can float through life without a care in the world? Is God a bigger version of a social butterfly?

Is it so we can get the answer to every question? Is God a bigger version of the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Why do we pray?
What is the real purpose??

Gideon123

amandatea · Mar 23, 2013

gideon123 said:
WHAT is the purpose of prayer ... really?

Is it just so we can ask and get what we want? Is God a bigger version of Santa Claus?

Is it so we can live life with zero pain? Is God a bigger version of Tylenol?

Is it so we can seek revenge on those who hurt us? Is God a bigger version of Chuck Norris?

Is it so we can float through life without a care in the world? Is God a bigger version of a social butterfly?

Is it so we can get the answer to every question? Is God a bigger version of the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Why do we pray?
What is the real purpose??

Gideon123

Are you actually asking, or are you trying to make a point?

The purpose of prayer is the same purpose as that of conversation with friends and loved ones. To communicate, build a relationship, and spend time with others. God has the power and desire to help us with our problems but if that's the only time we acknowledge Him, we shouldn't feel entitled to anything.

God is not a vending machine. He is our Father and friend and most importantly, our GOD.

gideon123 · Mar 23, 2013

"God is not a vending machine. He is our Father and friend and most importantly, our GOD. "

Thank you Amanda.
I believe you answered all the other posts on this thread

Gideon123

darktipper · Mar 27, 2013

So recently I have prayed for a position at a company and I just received a rejection letter in my email... This has happened multiple times.... I don't know what is going on. How can one get hit with so much failure in their lifetime

I am becoming a failure all across the board.

Spunkn · Mar 27, 2013

amandatea said:
God is not a vending machine. He is our Father and friend and most importantly, our GOD.

Needs reposted because it's so true. Just because you pray for something, doesn't mean God's going to say yes, or answer in the way that you expect Him to.

Aibrean · Mar 28, 2013

darktipper said:
So recently I have prayed for a position at a company and I just received a rejection letter in my email... This has happened multiple times.... I don't know what is going on. How can one get hit with so much failure in their lifetime

I am becoming a failure all across the board.

That isn't failure because it happens to all of us. Sometimes God wants us in a place we haven't thought we should go. Perhaps even a career change. Where he closes a door he opens a window.

A New Day · Mar 28, 2013

darktipper said:
So recently I have prayed for a position at a company and I just received a rejection letter in my email... This has happened multiple times.... I don't know what is going on. How can one get hit with so much failure in their lifetime

I am becoming a failure all across the board.

Hi darktipper the following may help a bit http://www.christianforums.com/t7730675/#post62625619

sunshine456 · Mar 28, 2013

The scriptures have the answer to this question. When you pray and what you are praying for is within the will of the heavenly father GOD you must believe it will happen. Additionally always end in the name of lord JESUS CHRIST.

Primarily as in accordance with scriptures JESUS CHRIST instructed us to pray the lord's prayer and not ramble on and on with vain words.

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>

darktipper · Mar 30, 2013

Aibrean said:
That isn't failure because it happens to all of us. Sometimes God wants us in a place we haven't thought we should go. Perhaps even a career change. Where he closes a door he opens a window.

I dunno about that... No doors or windows have opened for a while now. It is bad when you start to feel a bit better by not praying because it only leads to disappointment. I have even prayed for god will and nothing.... I don't get it. I think I am in the failure at almost everything category.... Even in prayer

Why doesn't prayer work?

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