***********Why Some Prayers Are Not Answered*********** “Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening,” Jehovah once told the Israelites. Pointing out the reason, he continued: “With bloodshed your very hands have become filled.” (Isaiah 1:15) How could anyone ignore Jehovah’s law and yet have an audience with him? A Bible proverb gives a clear answer, saying: “He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is something detestable.”—Proverbs 28:9. The Bible gives another reason why some prayers are not heard, when it says: “You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure.” (James 4:3) No, Jehovah will not answer prayers for the satisfying of wrong desires. We must also remember that God is not taking orders from humans, so to speak. He is the One who decides how he will answer our prayers. Sure to be answered are prayers that go to God out of a clean heart, with a proper motive, and in his appointed way—through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6, 14) But even those whose prayers meet such requirements have sometimes felt that they are not being heard. Why would God not immediately answer certain prayers of his servants? Jehovah knows the best time to answer prayers. Though a boy asks for a bicycle, his father may not obtain one for him until the child is old enough to ride it safely. The same may be true with some prayers of those who love God. Knowing what is best for them, he grants what is needed at the most favorable time. Yet, Jehovah’s servants do not get everything they may pray for. Being imperfect, they may desire some things that would not be good for them. Their loving heavenly Father would not give them anything harmful, for he is the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (James 1:17) Similarly, God may not grant something that is not necessary from his standpoint. (Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.) He answers prayers in harmony with his will and purpose for his people.—1 John 5:14, 15. w91 9/15 6
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:40:23 +0000
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