Ever prayed for something only to get no response or action from God? Maybe it made you aggravated at God, or feeling like you weren't worthy of divine intervention, or that God just didn't care enough about you. But, I can tell you that the problem wasn't with God; if you have been washed in the blood of Christ then you are worthy; and he loves you more than you can comprehend whether you feel it or not.
So, what was the problem? Teaching, or lack thereof. Let's look at some of the basics that is taught in the word about God answering prayer.
Persistence - We don't achieve what we pray for because we give up.
The disciples had the same problem in casting out an evil spirit from a boy while they were still learning from Jesus.
Mark 9:18 (KJV)
... I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.Could Not, past tense, meaning they tried and gave up.
Jesus proceeded to cast out the spirit, and when his disciples asked him why they could not he replied,
... This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:29 (KJV)In other words, they could, had they not given up.
One note about the statement Jesus made after the boy's father told him his disciples could not drive out the spirit.
Jesus replied, "You stubborn, faithless people! How long must I be with you until you believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." Matthew 17:17 (NLT) I thought this was a rather harsh statement directed at his disciples. But, when you realize the miracles that they had already performed and had seen Jesus perform, he was frustrated that they would still give up, lacking the faith to continue praying until God came through.Notice the fasting after the prayer, denoting many hours or days to achieve the goal. That is something I have never seen in my years of growing up in church, someone being prayed for over a prolonged period of time. If the prayer wasn't answered in 5 minutes or less, it just wasn't God's will. That is the biggest problem with unanswered prayer today in America, we are taught through example that prayers should be answered instantaneously and if they are not it is just not God's will. But, the example of the Prophets and the Early Church was to pray until they received the miracle or answer or whatever they were praying for. There were no lights to turn out by 10:00 and if there had been they would have put the leading of God before their own schedule. Sometimes it took days or weeks.(see Daniel 19:12,13) Maybe that is why we rarely see miracles in the U.S. churches and why they are more common in the third world countries where they don't have the same time constraints we do. Or, maybe we should consider the fact that until we stop putting our watches before God and using "good sense" as an excuse to usurp his will, (instead of reckless abandonment to do his will), that we may never experience what the early church did or see the kind of miracles the apostles performed.
Luke 18:3-8 (NLT)
A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. [4] The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. 'I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, [5] 'but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "
[6] Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"
Luke 11:5-8 (NLT)
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, [6] 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' [7] He would call out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can't help you this time.' [8] But I tell you this—though he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won't be damaged.*Greek-in order to avoid shame, or because of [your] persistence.
"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.Faith
"I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." Matthew 17:20 (NLT)
This statement was made directly after the incident of the boy with the evil spirit when Jesus told them that it would take prayer and fasting for them to cast out this evil spirit. But, we see that Jesus walked up and immediately cast it out before the crowd could get to him. So, how is it that Jesus could do this but the disciples couldn't.
The disciples faith was very small that is why he told them they would have to fast and pray. Jesus faith was perfect that is why he could get an instant answer to his prayers.
You see the relation: Little Faith, Much Prayer - Much Faith, Little Prayer.
So faith has an effect on how quickly our prayers are answered. But, with persistence, small faith can be just as effective as perfect faith.
I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"Luke 18:8
Obedience
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! John 15:7 (NLT)
What does it mean to "stay joined to me and my words remain in you", further on we get an explanation of what he means.
When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. John 15:10 (NLT)
John 15:12-17 (NLT)
I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. [13] And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. [14] You are my friends if you obey me. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. [16] You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [17] I command you to love each other.Notice that we are to obey Jesus with a promise that we may "ask any request and it will be granted", and the command we are to obey is to love each other.
Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it! "If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:14-15 (NLT)
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them." John 14:21 (NLT)
Righteousness
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. [17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! [18] Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.
James 5:16-18 (NLT)Living a holy life empowers our prayers: Prayer empowers us to live a holy life. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can overcome the sinful nature.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. [27] And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)
For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. Romans 8:13 (NLT)
Unity
"I also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. [20] For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them."Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)
This is a special promise for miraculous power. Notice that the disciples were sent out in twos.
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. Luke 10:1 (NLT)
When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"Luke 10:17 (NLT)There is also special provision for the leadership of the church.
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. James 5:14,15 (NLT)So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 Tim. 2:8 (NLT)
In God's Will
James 4:3 (NLT)
And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.God granting requests to his people is meant for his work, not selfish gain. When you pray check your motives, is this something you need for God's work or is it something based on your own gain.
Jesus never once turned down anyone who came to him for healing, even though he tried to dissuade the Samaritan Woman he still healed her daughter. We should expect no less when we go to him for healing for ourselves or for someone else unless he specifically tells us no.
Luke 9:23 (NLT)
Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.1 John 5:14 (NLT)
And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.To anyone who would teach that prayer can be used to accumulate things and that God wants us to be rich, I will leave you with this passage:
These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they don't tell the truth. To them religion is just a way to get rich.
[6] Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. [7] After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. [8] So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. [9] But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Tim. 6:5-10 (NLT)When God Says No
2 Cor. 12:7-9 (NLT)
But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.
[8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.This is the exception, and when God says no he will let you know very clearly. Keep praying until you receive what you are asking for or you get a clear no from God. Assuming that it is a no just because the answer didn't come in your allotted time frame is making the same mistake that the disciples did when they prayed for the demon possessed boy.