Pastor Dennis Christianson Happy Home Community Church March 13, 2022
Why Does God Not answer our Prayers?
James 4:1-12
- There are many reasons why God may answer our prayers with a “No” or perhaps a “not yet.” When we ask for things in hopes of satisfying our own selfish desires we are asking with the wrong motives and God says “no “
A. One of the reasons we don’t hear from God is because “we do not ask him,” (James 4:2). “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” Some Christians consider themselves self-sufficient, fully able to take care of themselves.
- They believe that all their needs and wants can be met by human means through their own wisdom, power, and diligence. They do not believe that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
- We need to pray about everything. “Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:7-8).
I Thessalonians 5:16 says “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
B. When we ask “amiss” we are asking in the wrong spirit, with the wrong motives. Specifically, the motive in asking is to get something that we believe will bring pleasure. Strikingly, the same word translated “lusts” in verse two is translated “pleasures” in verse three (James 4:2-3).
- When we come to God through Jesus and ask in harmony with His character and will, God will grant our requests. When we ask for things in hopes of satisfying our own selfish desires, those requests will go unanswered by God.
- The notion that things can ever satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart is wrong. God has created us for Himself, and He has re-created us in Christ that we might reflect the image of His Son.
- Our identity and our destiny are linked with God and not with anything that can be found in the world. When we realize this our thoughts and desires are directed away from things—toward loving God and loving others.
Il. James tells us why wars happen and what drives human behavior (James 4:1-2). There is war in our hearts, because of selfish desires. The essence of sin is selfishness which is a dangerous thing. They lead to wrong actions (“you kill and covet”, “you quarrel and fight”).
A. This can lead to wrong praying. When our praying is wrong, our whole Christian life is wrong. Selfish living and selfish praying always leads to war. If there is war on the inside. There will ultimately be war on the outside. (Warren Wiersbe)
- Worldly wisdom is described in James 3:14-16; “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
- Compare this with wisdom from God. “But the wisdom that comes down from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17-18).
B. James invites us to pray for wisdom and God will give it to us generously (James 1:5-7). In Scripture, “wisdom” is the ability to apply spiritual truths to real life situations, so that we are able to determine and choose God’ s will.
- Wisdom is needed for practical righteousness in daily life. James urged his readers to ask God for guidance. He will show us the right thing to do. By nature God is generous, and He will gladly and spontaneously provide the wisdom we need.
- The double-minded person is wavering, uncertain, between two opinions, uncertain of what to do. The double-minded person wants divine guidance, but at the same time he reserves for himself the right to decide whether to do what God reveals.
- Don’t ever imagine that God will reveal His will to you if you insist on the right to decide whether you will obey Him. But if we commit ourselves to obey Him, God will give us the wisdom we need to make right choices in our daily live.