Unanswered Prayers
Several times the elders of Israel went to Ezekiel so he could inquire of the Lord for them. They wanted God to answer them on a particular subject. God was so displeased with their sinful behavior that He told them that He would not answer them.(Ezekiel 20:3) In essence, He was saying that there was no need to ask Him anything, until they trusted Him and obeyed Him. I believe the same holds true for individuals today. Let me explain, so we can see at least one reason God does not answer prayers.
There are many people who want to use God to get what they want. God will not be manipulated by anyone. Often, these people do not trust the Lord at all. Oh yeah, they say they believe in God, and some even say they believe in Jesus Christ. However, it is not enough to "believe in" God or Jesus in the same way that we believe the earth is round. It is not enough to simply believe God exists, or even to believe that Jesus died for our sins. The Lord requires for us to put our faith in Him, to trust Him. Faith is trusting God so that we do what He says. Remember what James says in James 2, "Faith without works is dead." If we do not act on our faith, it is not living, real faith. It is only mental assent, which is not faith.
Therefore, those who do not trust the Lord and follow the Lord's will should not expect God to jump and answer their prayers. He is waiting to see if they will acknowledge Him as Lord, and put their trust in Him first. Then, He will be glad to answer sincere prayers which are according to His will. God does act in mercy toward those who do not know Him. He does reveal Himself to them in many ways, but He does not answer prayers, unless it is a prayer to confess Him as Lord of their lives and to follow Him in obedience.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 21-23.
There are many people who want to use God to get what they want. God will not be manipulated by anyone. Often, these people do not trust the Lord at all. Oh yeah, they say they believe in God, and some even say they believe in Jesus Christ. However, it is not enough to "believe in" God or Jesus in the same way that we believe the earth is round. It is not enough to simply believe God exists, or even to believe that Jesus died for our sins. The Lord requires for us to put our faith in Him, to trust Him. Faith is trusting God so that we do what He says. Remember what James says in James 2, "Faith without works is dead." If we do not act on our faith, it is not living, real faith. It is only mental assent, which is not faith.
Therefore, those who do not trust the Lord and follow the Lord's will should not expect God to jump and answer their prayers. He is waiting to see if they will acknowledge Him as Lord, and put their trust in Him first. Then, He will be glad to answer sincere prayers which are according to His will. God does act in mercy toward those who do not know Him. He does reveal Himself to them in many ways, but He does not answer prayers, unless it is a prayer to confess Him as Lord of their lives and to follow Him in obedience.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 21-23.