Unanswered Prayer

Job 35:12-13; 36:13: "He (God) does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it . . . . The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He (God) fetters them, they do not cry for help."


When we are absorbed in sin against the Almighty God, even though we may be experiencing the calamity that comes with such rebellion, we should not think that our prayers for relief will be answered by the Lord. This is especially true if our prayers are designed merely to free us from the misery of our circumstances so that we might continue in our sin. God is omniscient (all-knowing), meaning that He knows the true heart of the one who petitions Him, and God will not be quick to grant one's request, if his prayer is designed to give opportunity to continue in his idolatrous ways. God will not perpetuate evil!


One tangible example of God's unanswered prayer can be in the area of dating relationships. As a single adult pastor, I have observed singles who have allowed their relational circumstances to saturate their every waking moment. The need for companionship becomes so consuming for them, that they in effect craft an idol out of their relational circumstances and begin to worship that need. Their insatiable desire for a mate takes priority above everything in their lives (even God Himself). Some will even resolve within themselves to settle for anyone who simply will offer them the affections that their hearts so desperately crave, and they will attempt to justify their decision as God's Will (even though nothing could be further from the truth). Others will call out to the Lord for Him to answer their requests for a mate, only to find that He does not answer their prayer. God's lack of response is not because He does not care; still, God knows that a person so consumed for the need for spousal companionship will begin to worship that very person once she comes into his life. God does not bless idolatry, and He will not answer the prayer for relational companionship if He thinks that such a gift would become the very thing worshipped.


Let me make a further disclaimer here. I am not saying that all single people who are without a relational partner are in some way being punished by God because they are too desirous for a mate. Many factors can play to a person's single status which can include personal calling/preference or even God's delayed response to perform a greater work in His kingdom through the single person (see I Corinthians 7:32-35). Therefore, we should not be quick to judge the single person as one who has an unresolved, coveteous spirit within him.


Still, we need to examine ourselves to see the disposition of our hearts. Are we asking the Lord for something that will only increase our consumption with the very thing requested? Are we apt to bow down to the need for relational companionship, and are we asking God to perpetuate that idolatry within us? God wants our unadulterated surrender; so if we think that we can expect His blessing when we are displaying our loyalty to another, we can know that our prayers will not be answered.