Prayer
Index
(this page is under construction)
Does God Always Answer Prayer? - Psalm 4:1-8 MH Reynolds
Prayers God Will Not Answer - Proverbs 1:24-33 MH Reynolds
Psalm 4:1-8
DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER?
THE ANSWER to that question
is definitely yes! Verse one of our text records the Psalmist's call and verse three
records God's response. In the New Testament, we have a similar request and response in
Philippians 4:6, 7. Yes, God always answers prayer. God's answer to a believer's prayer
may be ''yes,'' no or wait.'' Knowing all things, He alone knows what is best for His
children in every circumstance and at all times. Being omnipotent, God can supply all of
our needs. (Phil. 4:13,19). We are happy and thankful when our prayer is answered
"yes," but we are apt to feel that a "no" or "wait a while"
answer is cause for disappointment or even complaint. However, just as a wise parent often
has to say the same to the requests of a child because that parent sees dangers the child
cannot see nor understand, God's own must rejoice that God cares for us by giving us what
is best.
Furthermore, in these days when we are faced with so
many uncertainties and difficult situations in every area of our lives, what a blessing it
is to know that the Holy Spirit helps us by making intercession for us "according to
the will of God" (Rom. 8:26, 27). What a blessing to be reminded that those who lack
wisdom may ask of God and "it shall be given" (Jas. 1:5). What a blessing to
know that our Heavenly Father knows our need even before we ask (Isa. 65:24). But, what a
pity that we often receive not because we ask not, or that we fail to receive because we
ask amiss (Jas. 4:2,3). Each principle needs to be properly applied to our lives. MHR
Proverbs 1:24-33
PRAYERS GOD WILL NOT ANSWER
IN OUR text, God makes it
clear that He will not answer the prayers of those who reject His counsel and reproof (vv.
25, 28), nor will he answer the prayers of those who hate His knowledge and refuse to fear
Him (v.29). In Proverbs 28:9, the prayer of one who turns his ear away from God's Word is
actually an abomination to God. The prophet Jeremiah was told not even to pray for those
who were trusting in the lying words of false prophets and were polluting God's house
(Jer. 7: 8-16).
Jesus Christ warned that neither the prayers of
hypocrites would be heard nor the prayers of those who used vain repetitions like the
heathen (Matt. 6:5,7). Many Charismatic leaders today are praying prayers God will not
answer because they isolate and concentrate on certain Scriptures referring to prayer,
failing to heed comparable portions of God's Word. One will often hear these leaders quote
Matthew 18:19: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in
heaven." On the basis of that text alone, they proceed to claim physical healing and
financial prosperity for themselves and others. They ignore the clear teaching of the
Bible which says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever
we ask, we know that we have the petition that we desired of him" (1 Jn. 5:14,15).
Answered prayer will always be in line with God's will, not ours. MHR
FEATURE, A Daily Bible Study Guide, is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association. Click
here 
to go to the ordering form / price list.
Return to FEATURE Bible Study Guide Index
