One of the greatest struggles Christians face is the experience of unanswered prayer. We pour our hearts out to God and wonder why He does not respond. In this message from James 3:13-18, Pastor Kevin Long explained that God always hears us, but there are reasons why our prayers sometimes go unanswered. Just as a loving parent says “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” God responds according to His wisdom and our spiritual condition.
Four Reasons Prayers Go Unanswered
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Lack of Prayer
James 3:13-18 reminds us, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Too often we talk about our burdens to everyone except God. Prayer is not simply about receiving something—it is about building a relationship with the Father. Without prayer, there is no opportunity for God to answer. -
Wrong Motives
Verse 3 teaches that we “ask wrongly to spend it on our passions.” God knows our hearts and sees through selfish requests. We cannot use prayer as a tool for personal gain or to satisfy fleshly desires. Prayer is about aligning our will with God’s, not convincing Him to grant our wants. -
Wrong Relationship
James warns that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” When we compromise with worldly values or try to live with one foot in the world and one in God’s kingdom, our prayers are hindered. True prayer flows from a relationship of loyalty and surrender to God alone. -
Wrong Spirit and Attitude
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. A prideful heart keeps us from experiencing answered prayer. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the difference between a proud, self-righteous spirit and a humble heart that cries out for mercy. God draws near to the humble who confess sin and seek His grace.
Application
Prayer is not about manipulating God to get what we want but about growing closer to Him and learning His will. The greatest answered prayer is salvation itself, offered through Jesus Christ. He bridged the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God through His death and resurrection. The call of James is to humble ourselves, draw near to God, and experience His grace in our lives.
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