{"id":2249,"date":"2017-11-27T18:26:54","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T07:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sdreformedbaptist.org.au\/?p=2249"},"modified":"2018-02-24T19:40:20","modified_gmt":"2018-02-24T08:40:20","slug":"unanswered-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sdreformedbaptist.org.au\/?p=2249","title":{"rendered":"Unanswered prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Church bulletin:<\/p>\n

Probably one of the greatest challenges to faith is unanswered prayer. This is particularly the case as scripture gives us reason to bring our petitions to God with confidence. Matt 21:21-22, \u201c<\/i><\/span>Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, \u2018Be removed and be cast into the sea,\u2019 it will be done. <\/span>22<\/span><\/sup>And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are times when the Lord provides exactly what we ask for; sometimes He responds in unexpected ways. Yet there are also occasions when our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears. No Christian will be blessed with everything they request. The reason for this according to 1 John 5:14 is because our will is not always God\u2019s will. \u201cNow this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us\u201d. <\/i>God has a bigger picture in mind; one in which He is accomplishing more important things than granting our petitions.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some possible reasons why particular prayers are not granted; reasons which fit into the bigger picture of God\u2019s sovereign purposes: \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n