How to Pray? Why my prayers are not answered?
People usually ask how to pray and why my prayers are not answered, and those who demand proof in exchange for belief don’t understand the nature of faith who would demand proof from God in exchange for belief in him do not understand the nature of faith, may never be satisfied and may resort to calling good “evil”.
“You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
( James 4:3 )
The family members of Jesus and the elders of the Jerusalem church accused Jesus of having a hidden relationship with Beelzebul. The Scribes then called Jesus “Teacher” and asked him to show a sign.
“Then certain of the Scribes and the Pharisees answered, saying, “Master, we would see a sign from thee.”
( Matthew 12:38 )
When the Greeks asked Jesus to perform a miracle to prove that he was the son of God, Jesus saw their ulterior motives. He realized that they lacked faith in the almighty God and were only interested in seeing a magic show. In response, Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation, using their hardened hearts to manipulate them. Those who oppose the almighty God will be severely punished.
‘But he answered and said unto them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah:” ( Matthew 12:39 )
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” ( Matthew 12:40 )
The book of Jonah in the Old Testament narrates how God commanded the prophet to go to Ninevah city and warn its people about their wickedness. Jonah, however, disobeyed and fled by boat to Tarshish. He was thrown overboard with his permission and spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish. Jesus spoke this sign to the Pharisees and Scribes to let them know that he would descend into the depths of the earth but on the third day, he would be raised for the salvation of the sinners. The Scribes and Pharisees couldn’t comprehend the sign that Jesus talked about them because they lacked faith in the word of God and Jesus. As a result, if someone doesn’t have faith in the word of God and Jesus, their prayers won’t be answered.
St Paul on How to Pray and Why our prayers are not answered?
St. Paul instructed Timothy that Christians should never offer prayers to God with an unclean heart filled with anger and doubt, this is also one of the reasons why our not answered. Therefore, the head of the family who wishes for his prayers to be heard should offer them with holy hands. This means that he should not pray while being a part of someone else’s tears and sorrows, instead should approach God in a state of purity.
“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” ( 1 Timothy 2:8 )
Aspects of St. James on how to pray and Why our prayers are not answered?
As per St.James those who lead a life of adultery and indulge in evil desires follow the path of the Gentiles who practice sorcery and fornication to please their Gods. However, if we do the same with our almighty God, it will not be acceptable to him. The almighty God refuses the prayers of those who consider themselves his most beloved people but continues their wicked and unrighteous lifestyles. Instead, if one aligns oneself with the word of God and follows the principles that Jesus taught then only their prayers will be answered. Sinner’s Prayers were not answerable.
According to Greek belief, God does not answer the prayers of sinners who follow the path of sin, his prayers will not be answered.
“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” ( John 9:31 )
In ( John 9: 6-7 ) it is recorded that Jesus healed a blind man who then regained his sight. The man proclaimed that his prayers as a sinner were not answered. However, because Jesus prayed for him, he was healed. This event confirms that Jesus is a holy man without sin and his prayers were heard.
According to the New Testament, those who blame others and consider themselves flawless are considered big sinners. Jesus explained to his disciples that when such people pray to God their prayers go unheard by the almighty God because they are considered unrighteous and are turned away. The prayers of the Pharisees are also considered in the same way. Satan makes us believe that we are blameless and innocent without any sin within us and that we are more holy than others. By believing this, we become unrighteous and develop a sense of superiority leading us to judge others as sinners and ourselves as holy. Jesus states that the prayers of such people will also go unheard.
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ( Luke 18: 11-12 )
Those who pray to God with hearts filled with wrath, enmity and hatred will also not be heard by the Lord. ( Matthew 5:20-25 ), ( Mark 11:20-25 ), ( Roman 12:9-21 )