Hindrances to Prayer: Reasons God May Not Answer Your PrayersSample

Pray in agreement with Biblical principles

The Bible is God’s instruction book for us. Let’s take a look at some scripture to see what it says about God answering prayer. Sometimes God’s promises are conditional or tell us we must do something for God to respond to us. See if you can find conditions or promises God has for answering prayer and make notes for them regarding each scripture.

1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

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Psalm 37:3-5 - Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

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John 15:5-8 - I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

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Matthew 6:7-8 - And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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Matthew 7:9-11 - Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

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Reflect: Will God give us anything that is bad for us? Spend some time thanking Him for His goodness and faithfulness to you. Let His love surround you and lift your heart to recognize His provision in your life.