27 Reasons for Unanswered Prayers
“The man who turns away from The Truth lest he should get to know it, will not receive answers to prayer…..“ Proverbs 28:9.
- Refusing to hear the truth. (Proverbs 28:9)
- Tempting or provoking God. (Deuteronomy 3:26)
- Lack of charity or love to others. (Proverbs 21:13)
- Lack of humility. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- A hardened heart. (Zechariah 7:12-13)
- Forsaking God. (2 Chronicles 15:2)
- Praying amiss (wrong motives). (James 4:3)
- Regarding iniquity. (Psalm 66:18)
- Unbelief. (Matthew 17:20,21, 21:22)
- Marital strife. (1 Peter 3:7)
- Parading your prayer-life. (Matthew 5:6)
- Sin. (James 4:1-5; Isaiah 59:2; John 9:31)
- Vain (useless) repetitions. (Matthew 6:7)
- Being discouraged (TAF added: or lack of persistence/ belief). (Luke 18:1-8)
- Doubt and doublemindedness. (James 1:5-8)
- Anxiety and worry. (Philippians 4:6)
- Hypocrisy. (Luke 18:9-14)
- Unforgiveness. (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark. 11:25-26)
- Not tithing. (Malachi 3:8,9,10)*
- Rebellion against God’s Word. (Proverbs 1:24-28; Zechariah 7:11-14)
- Presumption and pride. (Luke 18:10-14)
- Unconfessed sin. (Psalm 66:18)
- Spiritual Warfare/ Attacks/ Possible delays (Daniel 10:12-14)
- Lack of sincerity. (Matthew 6:5)
- Being unsaved (an unbeliever). (John 17)
- Curses. (Deuteronomy 28)
- Willful stubbornness. (Jeremiah 16:12-13)
If you have been discouraged or feeling hindered in your Prayers, perhaps something in this list above has or will speak to your heart.
Note:
I did my own search on this topic quite a while back, but a few years ago I saw this awesome list above in a book by Bern Zumprano — “Spiritual Warfare Prayers“
This list could go on, and books could be written on these scriptures alone!
I searched out and added a web/Bible link to each reference to make it easy for people to study what the word says, by each point the man of God listed.
I’m sure there are other or more scriptures that could be referenced — find them if so! I hope this blesses someone!
The link to the book may be found here (He has a gold mine of other info throughout this site, but this is a very good Prayer Book written in 1999 that he makes available as a free PDF: HERE.
*TAF Note re: #19 — “Tithing”:
This is not to spark debate on tithing and what it really is versus some of the perceptions or possible misinterpretations throughout Churchianity.
If the Spirit of God speaks or encourages you to bless a person, a family, widows or orphans, a ministry, or a “Church” — where you’re being fed biblical and spiritual meat at — and you don’t give, this would very likely hinder prayers!
However, in my humble opinion, Churches or pastors who twist or use scriptures to pressure or manipulate the tithe and sprinkle in guilt or condemnation- woe to those “shepherds” for they will be extra accountable to The LORD God!
In this context, tithing goes along perfectly with #3 above, or “Lack of charity ” as clearly stated in Proverbs 21:13.
These two go hand in hand. For those who do deep dive studying of Giving/ Tithing in the Word, you may realize that tithing isn’t what many think or say it is.
In summation: we should always walk in the Spirit; and listen to everything He instructs in His word and places in our hearts, regarding compassion and loving or caring for others.
If The LORD places on your heart to give, GIVE and do it cheerfully!)
Maybe you’ve allowed one or two of these things to affect your prayers?
We have all dealt with something on this list at one point or another, do not condemn yourself, just humble yourself and speak from the heart to the Father.
The key is self-examination and a pure or contrite heart being lifted up in petition to the Father.
Below is a 1-minute Prayer of my own for PBS (“Prayer Block Syndrome!”) and this post, pray as is or edit for yourself or share this with others who may be struggling.
“PBS” — Prayer Block Syndrome — Prayer model:
Father God, in the mighty name of Y’shua (Jesus), I come to You, to praise the Name above all names; and with gratitude for Your Love for me!
I seek You and lift this petition after self-examination, through these instructions from Your Living Word.
I come to You from and with my heart in humility, for I cannot hide anything from You!
I plead The Blood of Jesus over my life and myself for forgiveness of any sin, known or unknown. (see Psalm 19)
Help me Father God, to shatter and break any blocks to Your ear that I have allowed; remove any presumptuous sin from my life.
Forgive and remove any pain, anger, or trauma I may be hanging onto.
Help me to forgive, and give me a heart of Your Love against any hardening that might be coming against my heart!
I renounce any and all previous and current agreements with any of these things, or anything opposite of your Living Word! Forgive me!
Heal and deliver me of anything that needs removed, and help me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to come into full alignment of Your Will in heaven, for my life for you here on earth!
Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. Bring Your might God, against all strongholds that may be coming against me. I submit to you and I want to resist the adversary so that he must flee!
Use me! Add more salt to my feet and let me not hide my light!
Increase the “oil in my lamp” and the Living Water in me through your Holy Spirit — lead me to ALL truth!
Give me wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, power and might by your Holy Spirit, in The Fear of The LORD! (Isaiah 11:2)
Guide me personally to connect with You in Prayer like never before!
Help me to stand in the gap for those who are stuck in blindness and or rebellion.
Help me increasing in walking in — and praying in — The Spirit, and not my flesh!
Thank You for Your Faithfulness!
Increase the gift of my Faith, increase Love in me, and have Your way in my life.
Amen.
~ T. Andrew Farley
Todd Andrew Farley is part of the nameless brigade, called for a time such as this, primarily to minister to the body of Christ and occasionally as a prophetic messenger for the edification of those called to the remnant Bride of Christ. He gives all glory, honor and praise, to the Name above all names, Jesus! For He alone was worthy. Andrew’s own Ministry website is Eagles of Zion.
Thank you. I know I have some of the things in me that hurt my prayer life, but I need to start somewhere. I cannot break some of the habits without God’s power, but if he won’t hear my prayer because of things I have no control over right now, like finances and family strife, how can a person get God to hear him? I feel like I am in a catch 22.
This is wonderful Andrew. ❤ Thank you for posting and writing this up. Tracey
Todd
A refreshingly nuts n’ bolts facts on the A,B,C’s of prayer. I like the format you put it in. [I’m old enough to remember ‘Cliff Notes’ – study notes – way before internet]. Good post. Printable. Blessings
Amen and amen – Let it be Lord !!!
Mould me and make me into the vessel you want me to be
for Your glory!