Prayers: Do They All Get Answered? Understanding God’s Responses
By Greg Laurie
It might seem surprising, but in a very real sense, all prayer is actually answered by God. The way He responds, however, isn’t always what we expect. Scripture reveals that God answers prayer in three distinct ways: yes, no, and wait.
God’s Three Answers to Prayer
When we pour out our hearts to God and He responds with a “no,” it’s easy to feel as though our prayer has been ignored. But in reality, a “no” is a direct and definitive answer. God, in His wisdom, may see a bigger picture that we don’t, or He may have a better plan in store for us.
Sometimes, God’s answer is “wait.” This can be challenging, as we often desire immediate resolution. However, God operates according to His perfect timing. He uses seasons of waiting to develop our patience, strengthen our faith, and prepare us for what He ultimately intends.
And then, of course, there are the times when God answers with a resounding “yes!” These are the moments we often focus on, but understanding the other ways God communicates is crucial for a mature prayer life.
Why Aren’t More Prayers Answered with a ‘Yes’?
If God answers every prayer, why don’t we experience more affirmative responses? One key reason lies in the prerequisite of a relationship with God. The promise of answered prayer isn’t a universal guarantee for everyone on earth.
While anyone can call upon the Lord in a moment of need, a consistent prayer life, characterized by fellowship and communion with God, is a privilege reserved for His children. Consider the analogy of family: you can ask your spouse or child for a favor with a reasonable expectation of a response, based on your established relationship. The same principle applies to our connection with God.
Just as I readily answer the calls of my wife, my son, or my grandchildren because of the bond we share, God prioritizes the prayers of those who are in relationship with Him. When we cultivate this connection, our calls are heard, and our prayers are answered.
The Hindrance of Unconfessed Sin
Another significant barrier to answered prayer is unconfessed sin in our lives. The Bible clearly states this principle:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV)
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18 NKJV)
The word “regard” implies clinging to or holding onto sin. While all Christians stumble and sin, there’s a distinct difference between occasional failings and a pattern of willful, habitual sin without remorse or a desire to change. A genuine believer experiences conviction and sorrow over their sin, whereas someone living in unrepentant sin demonstrates a lack of true relationship with God, as highlighted in 1 John 3:8-9.
Therefore, addressing and confessing our sins is vital for maintaining an open channel of communication with God.
The Impact of Selfish Motives
Even when praying for seemingly “right” things, selfish motives can hinder our prayers. For instance, desiring to be used by God is a noble aspiration. However, if the underlying motivation is to gain recognition, praise, or social media followers, the prayer’s effectiveness is compromised.
True leadership and service come with significant responsibility, and our hearts should be focused on God’s glory rather than our own. Examining our intentions behind our prayers is crucial.
The Obstacle of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness is another powerful impediment to our prayer life. Jesus Himself instructed:
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25 NIV)
Harboring bitterness and resentment towards others creates a barrier between us and God. While the offense committed against us may be significant, forgiveness is as much for our own well-being as it is for the other person. As the saying goes, unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It wounds our spirit and obstructs our connection with God.
The Power of Persistent Prayer
Our posture in prayer should be one of consistent engagement with God, regardless of our circumstances. Are you suffering today? Then pray. Are things going well? Are you blessed right now? Then praise God. Do you need healing from the Lord? Then pray, pray, pray. Keep praying. Don’t stop praying.
We are engaged in a spiritual battle, where daily we are either advancing or retreating. Ephesians 6:10 reminds us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” before even considering the armor of God. Our strength in this battle stems from our relationship and fellowship with Him.
When sin or unforgiveness creates distance, our vulnerability increases. Therefore, our priority should be to stand firm in our connection with the Lord.
In conclusion, while God answers every prayer in His own way, the quality and effectiveness of our prayers are deeply influenced by our relationship with Him, the presence of unconfessed sin, the purity of our motives, and our willingness to forgive. Let us cultivate these aspects of our lives so that our prayers may be heard and answered according to His perfect will.
Faith content above originally published at Greg’s Blog.
Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship with campuses in California and Hawaii. He began his pastoral ministry at the age of 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people…
…In 2020 and in partnership with Kingdom Story Company, Laurie premiered his first-ever cinematic crusade, A Rush of Hope, viewed by over 2 million people in its opening weekend…
…In February 2023, Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate released Jesus Revolution, which is the story of Greg and Cathe’s life and the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ’70s. It stars Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie and is based on Greg’s book of the same title…
Read Laurie’s complete bio on the Harvest website here: About Greg Laurie (harvest.org)
Greg Laurie on X (formerly Twitter): @greglaurie