The Way

Unanswered Prayer

Draft, under review

For everyone · Tell us where you are

  1. Why hasn't God answered my prayer?

    Unanswered prayer is not proof of wrong motives. Paul's prayer was answered no, in grace (2 Cor 12:8-9).

    • Luke 18:1–8

      1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ Keep reading

    • 2 Cor 12:7–10

      7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. Keep reading

    • Jas 4:2–3

      2You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

  2. What if God's answer is no?

    • Matt 26:39–42

      39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Keep reading

    • 2 Cor 12:8–9

      8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

    • Isa 55:8–9

      8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

  3. Should I keep asking?

    • Luke 11:5–10

      5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ Keep reading

    • Luke 18:1

      1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

    • 1 Sam 1:9–20

      9So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 11And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” Keep reading