How Do You Know the Answer To Your Prayer Is No?

Jesus-the-Grain-Field-350-webby Rex Rouis

The other day, we were having a conversation about faith, prayer, and the things of God. During the discussion, one person made the following statement, “Sometimes God says no to our prayers.” I think they were trying to bring a measure of ‘balance’ to our talk of faith, and to remind us that God is sovereign and He has a will. The popular phrase usually goes like this, “God answers all prayer, sometimes yes and sometimes no.”

This made me think – ‘How do people know that the answer is no?’ How is it conveyed? Do they actually hear God say, “No?” I think not. Does He speak to their heart by a conviction or an inner witness that His will is otherwise? Again, no. What they mean is this – the answer did not come. They prayed and did not receive, so they assumed the answer was no.

It makes sense. We all know that God is not going to give us everything we pray for. Some things He answers yes, and to these we receive the answer, and to some things, He says no and nothing happens. I get it, it sounds good, except that it is not what the Bible says.

Nowhere does the Bible actually say that God answers prayer. People look at prayer and faith as being the same. They are not. There is a world of difference between the two. You can pray in faith and you can pray while not in faith. In other words, there is believing prayer and there is unbelieving prayer. The Bible says:

Therefore I say unto you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Mark 11:24 NASB

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24 KJV

The Bible says that ALL believing prayer WILL receive the believed result. It also implies that unbelieving prayer MAY NOT receive. There is always hope in God’s mercy.

So, God does answer all prayer, sometimes yes and sometimes no. Except that, you should know if He is going to answer your prayer when you pray and not later when you receive or don’t receive. What determines the answer is our believing. To the faith-filled believing prayer, God says, ‘Yes’ – all believing prayer, always. To the doubt filled unbelieving prayer, God says, ‘No.’ God responds to faith, and only to faith. He does not respond to needs or pain. If He did, He would be doing a terrible job as God, for the world is filled with needs and pain.

Nowhere does the Bible actually say that God answers prayer.
But You say, “What if you are believing for something that is not God’s will?” Great question; I believe that is impossible because faith and believing is based on the will of God. If the thing is not the will of God, then there is no way to actually have Bible faith for it. Faith, true Bible faith, is based on two things, first the promises in the word of God (God’s written will), and secondly, the spoken word (God’s personal confirmation) from Christ to us that creates the faith in our heart. Faith comes from God, so it is impossible to have it apart from the will of God. We may think that we are believing for it but in reality it is just mental ascent, a type of hope.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (spoken) word of Christ. Romans 10:17

The purpose of faith to bring the already sanctioned will of God into this world  – (through faith) thy will be done on earth as it is (already) in Heaven. It is our job to know the general will of God through the promises of God, and His specific will through His spoken word to us. Bible promises tell us what we can have (hope), and His spoken word tells us what we do have (faith). You don’t receive His word of faith until you have met the conditions of the promise. Once you have faith, you have the ‘sub-stance’ (reality) of the hope.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not (yet) seen. Hebrews 11:1

Jesus expected those around Him to have faith before they received, and it is the same today. He expects us to pray in faith. Faith is the deciding factor. Study the Word of God and read the articles on this site to learn how to receive faith, release faith, and walk in faith. The Bible says that OUR faith overcomes the world.

Faith comes from God, so it is impossible to have it apart from the will of God.

Comments

  1. Today one of the pastors of our church spoke on prayer. It was a message, I’m sure, meant to offer hope in our God and His concern for His children. I really want to be inspired by the teacher, one who is called to speak into the lives of the flock with the truth found in God’s Word. The message spoke of some prayers being answered and some prayers not being answered. He called it “Occasional”. It caused me to believe that “just throw prayers out there and occasionally one will get answered the way you hoped it would”. Your teaching in this article Rex, is what I believe to be spot on (for as much as I understand of prayer at this point in my Christian life). The teaching from the pulpit today talks about a God who is hit or miss with the prayers we basically “throw out there” and hope we catch God on our lucky day and get our “good and favorable” answer. Knowing God’s word(s) – Logos – these are the words of truth found in the pages of our bible, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, found cover to cover. Hearing God’s word(s) – Rhema – these are the thoughts that come from the word(s) we read, God gives us understanding to word(s) that once were logos but now have become Rhema (we understand the thought the written words imply. For these Rhema words (to work) they must be activated by faith.

    1. This is not a politcial question, but is based on David Sweet, a VA man who was changed with Unlawful Entry. Mr. Sweet said he prayed to God three times about his decision to unlawfully enter the Capitol. Each time Mr. Sweet didn’t hear a NO from God. So I’ll assume he never heard a YES either. How does religion address this issue. Is one to wait to hear a YES before doing something unlawful (hoping for a lawful good to come of it) or does God say NO to all unlawful acts and that why he didn’t hear a YES. What about other situtations not including acts that maybe be unlawful? How does religion/bible address this?

  2. Please if I understand the article well, then how can Genesis 17:18-19 (HCSB) be explained.

    1. A good rule to read Bible is to read some verses before and after to understand context.

      Genesis 17:15 God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name. 16 I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. v I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

      Abraham still can’t see motherhood for Sarah and asks God to bless Ishmael instead.

      Genesis 17:18-19 is God’s answer then in simple terms. No, I have said and will bless you with child thru Sarah. This child is so I can make a covenant with your future generations.

      No as answer here is not God saying I will not bless Ishmael. Read in next few verses :

      20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him;

      So the passage in Genesis 17:18-19 is God wisely replying that He will keep His promise like He told Abraham. He is a true God who honors His word. This is God’s faithfulness to His word on which the covenant will depend for future generations.

      God will do what he promises. Sadly we make our own choices or quote what we heard from someone and expect God to endorse. God will honor His word and His will that is good. God is good and loves each one of us deeply.

      Psalm 107 tells how God is there for redeemed who can’t find the way, for rebellious who go against God’s way, foolish who reject God’s way and suffer negatively, even strong or wise who get knocked around and can’t see the way anymore. God helps each one so we understand loving kindness of the Lord.

      “Help me, Lord” is a powerful prayer. A request not a demand to a merciful God. God will reply in love and kindness. Allow God to answer according to His wisdom, word and truth. He loves us and is too wise to say yes to our harm even if we think it is good for us. His plans for us are way better than even our own thoughts and imagination. Trust His love.

      Jesus loves you. Ask Him for help. God bless

  3. Dear author,

    I’m at a lost reading your article. If all faith-based prayers are/will be answered, then why is mine not? I mean I prayed, hoped, believed and waited for almost or more than 10yrs, I can’t remember anymore. I quoted scriptures, after scriptures claiming my prayer. But circumstances and time lined up against my prayer. I haven’t received a concrete answer from God. So after many years of thinking about it, I’m starting to believe that the answer to my prayer is a NO, and that I should stop praying about it and accept the answer. But there’s that pain/hurt in my heart that I don’t know why or where it is coming from. So I searched for answer. That’s the reason why I came across your article.

    1. Dieu répond toujours à la prière de la foi, si vous n’avez pas reçu de réponse à votre prière, c’est que d’une manière ou d’une autre, vous étiez dans le doute et n’étiez pas vraiment sûr que Dieu vous a exaucé !!!!

    2. Dear EM, what you are praying may not align with your purpose in life and/or your destiny. Does what you’re asking align with scripture in your life’s context? Just because you have faith and pray and quote scripture does not guarantee receiving what you asked. Everything is in God’s will and he sees ahead of you. God may not see it as a perfect or good gift to give you. God has to get the glory in all we do. While you are waiting what is the true posture you have? Are you wavering? Anticipating and Expecting is the posture to have. Keep living, Keep believing, Keep serving God

  4. When I pray I feel good and I try to move on with my day. I know I am not praying for something wrong, or even out of Gods will. I have been praying for marriage restoration for 7 years. I fell off, because God did not do anything the first three years. So I moved on as my exH did. ExH had an affair and left me for her. With in a year she was preg and then three years in he divorced me. Then last year married her. I got myself into an abusive relationship and had a child myself. Everything I prayed against has happened. Bible talks about restoration of what we have lost. Bible talks about the wicked not prospering. I know and believe God can do the impossible. I know what has taken place on the other side of the mountain is not Gods creation. But he is allowing it and I continue to suffer. They are blessed and I struggle. I have asked God to take the desire of a restored marriage out of my heart. He hasnt. I have prayed for the the husband I am suppose to have, he hasnt brought him. I have prayed A-Z. I am tired and I dont know what i say about or to God anymore.

    1. Author

      Rae – I hear you, and, so does God. I don’t have any easy answers for you, but I know there are answers in God. I am going to send you an email to call me if you desire and are able to. One thing to think about is that God did not tell us to talk to Him about the mountain. He told us to speak TO your mountains, and it would move (Mark 11:23).

      We have a responsibility to overcome the things in our lives, and because of that, we have a lot of ability and authority over the things in our lives. I am NOT saying in any way that you are responsible for those horrible things. What I am saying is that you have more authority in life than you think you have over them – you do. We just need to find out how to access that authority and use it to the glory of God and your blessing.

      There is a great life waiting for you. We just need to find out how to get it. We love you. God loves you. Rex

    2. Psalm 37:7 and Matthieu 6:33. Apply this in your life and you won’t have to pray.

  5. I’m on the fence, I’ve been believing for a house that I found after a bid was already made, the house went pending and after two months of continued belief that the Word of God works, the house went off the market and was transferred to the new owner. I am stunned at this point. I fell in love with this home and property, I had others believe with me, refreshing their belief in the Word. I have many seeds out there that I have seen no “growth” on, so I don’t know if I should keep going or just give up on it all.

    1. This!!! This is my same situation, but with a rental property. My lease ended, and I was set to sign the new lease the next day. I gave away furniture, because the new place would come with some furniture. The day I should have signed the lease, I was informed that the deal had fallen through. I looked at 6 houses over the past few months, and ALL of them have not gone through. This is the very reason I am trying to learn when God is saying no.

      1. I will keep you in my prayers for guidance and wisdom; I am still waiting for what I believe for, I don’t know if I should look at other properties or not.
        I trust God to give you the answer you seek. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened to you.

  6. I have completely lost my faith in God. His answer to my prayers has always been NO!
    No matter how much faith I had. No matter how many times I’ve prayed. How do I have faith in a God who has always let me down?He won’t even give me my most needed prayer…..peace.

    1. Author

      Shawn– I am sending you an email. I want you to call me. We love you. Rex

    2. Amen. Same. God answers all my prayers with a No.
      and I ask for peace with His “No’s” and He won’t even give me that.
      Quite disappointing.

    3. Shawn, I’ve been in your exact position. It’s a hard place to be. God is still working. During my struggle with unanswered prayers, I keep being led back to the book of James, which is a hard pill to swallow. I’m double minded. I can’t get to the point where I believe that I have already received what I’m praying for. We have to live our lives on earth as it is in heaven. That is where we will see the shift. Whether it’s an answered prayer or a new desire placed in your heart specifically by God for you. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. We control our hope, we can defer it or we can stand boldly in it. Just remember, it doesn’t always look the way we think it will. Stand firm brother. I stand with you.

  7. After 22 years of God’s silence, I am convinced his answer is a resounding no. Does that strengthen my hope in him or his goodness? No. I think I resent him for it, and have totally lost my trust I’m him, in him having my best interest at heart.

    1. Author

      Thomas – I am sending you an email. I want you to call me. We love you. Rex

      1. I love god but this is probably the worst situation I’ve ever been in in my life. I have very a serious criminal court case coming up and I’m terrified as to how the sentencing will turn out, I lost a relationship that I thought was ordained by god, I’ve lost most of my friends and I’m trapped in a very toxic house that I cant leave right now. I want to have faith but I am honestly just so broken I don’t know if I even want to live.

        1. Garrett,
          God is able! The closer you are to your break through….the harder the trials. Your life is worth so much more than how you are feeling right now. Please if you need someone to talk to and perhaps help you…..please dont hesitate to reach out to me ASAP

        2. Garrett,
          I’m sorry you are going through these challenges in your life.
          You may be feeling desperate, terrified and thinking of the worst possible scenario! But I ask you to not give up on God . Because He will never give up on you .
          It does not matter how big your problem is right now, your God is bigger than your problems!
          Check out Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him , and He will make your paths straight!
          Last year, my son was facing possibly prison time n over $30000 in lawyer’s fees. This happened when I had just lost my job n he had just turned 18 . His two friends had just committed suicide and he also had no desire to live .
          I prayed and cried out to God. My faith was shaky n I expected the worst . Long story short, my son went to court n a public defender was appointed for him. When he was about to leave , the judge told him there won’t be a trial , he told him he wanted to give him a second chance and he told him no fines , no sentence , n he only had to pay court costs which was less than $300. To this day, no one believes it that he was that lucky. Only God could do something like that.
          I ask you to give your problems to God and let Him help you . Do not put Him in a box. He is a supernatural God and nothing is too hard for Him.
          Whatever the outcome , God will be there with you , all the way!
          God Bless

        3. I prayed before I answered your question and asked god to speak though me and this is what he sed garret. I only answer prayers for those who truly trust in me I believe you are going through a hard time don’t give up on me you are my son and I would not let you down if you truly trust in me even if it seems like I’m not here I am I have to put you trough this test . Faith is what will save you you know I’m with you.but you don’t believe I am open your heart to me keep trusting me even if you think I’m not here if you think I’m not I will not be there for you if you believe yes he is I’ll stay by you

  8. Trying to hear God apart from His Word seems to be what is killing our churches, so many false Apostles and Prophets have polluted the minds of Christians.

    1. 100%

      This article states that nowhere in the Bible does it say God answers prayer, but this is questionable.
      Several instances in the Psalms point towards God answering prayers, or”You heard my cry” references. Even Hanna prayed for Samuel, and there are other examples, too where God answered.

      God answering no to a prayer can seem disheartening. I get it, hence why I came across this article to try and make sense of it. It’s encouraging to see others facing the same dilemma.

      Is the article emphasizing word of faith doctrine?

      1. Amy, was Jesus wrong in stating that if we have faith, we can speak to the mountain and it will be moved or was He wrong to tell us that we can speak to the fig tree as He did if we have faith?

  9. Jesus lived before God and man successfully because He never exercised His own “Will”. He had a will, but He turned that will over to His Father to “only” do the Fathers will who sent Him.
    God didn’t create man for man, He created man for Himself, to love and worship Him “exclusively”. To get all their pleasure from walking with God and knowing Him.
    All mans problems stem from their own “wills” being exercised instead of God’s . In Genesis 6:6 AMP “The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart”. Man has never been satisfied with God alone.
    I have grieved God’s heart almost my entire 40 years of being a Christian, because I wanted my “own will” more than His most of the time. All it has brought me is sorrow, regret and dullness.
    Most Christians have made Jesus Savior, but very seldom Lord. Most Christians want heaven, but also everything their heart desires that this life now offers as they look around in the World. (1 John. 2:15)

    1. Hi, Steve,
      Wow, your reply is extraordinary and insightful. I have heard so many negative things about the Osteens in the media, most of it from other Christians, and I have yet to really notice anything anti-Biblical. Today I was looking for Scripture on a particular topic and suspected from reading Dodie Osteen’s recent book, IF MY HEART COULD TALK, that it might be available online. This website is a treasure. Steve, your answer reveals maturity and insight and it appears to be characteristic of the participants in general. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. May the Peace of Christ be with you.

    2. That’s a popular teaching but not even remotely true. Jesus did His own will. He voluntarily chose to come as our Savior. He and the Father are one. Jesus wasn’t coerced against His will, nor did He and the Father disagree in eternity past. Only man must truly give up his will. Jesus did exactly what He wanted and planned on doing . To sAy otherwise is Biblically inaccurate.

    3. So you think Jesus didn’t want to die for us, but did God’s will? Jesus is God. He and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one. To say he did the Father’s will and not his own will is really not true. God didn’t ask Jesus to do something he didn’t want to do, but then finally acquiesced. Jesus was as actively involved in Salvation as the Father. He indeed did His will. God expects us to accept His will no matter if we like it or not.

  10. I believe in GOD I’ve prayed ask GOD for help .
    I learned at a young age that my understanding of GOD was different then I thought. I thought if you prayed GOD would help, it doesn’t work like that. But I wished it did, I wish it was as simple as a pray to fix what’s wrong,
    You hear GOD only gives you what you can handle, Yes that true but you have to handle it no one else can for you.
    The prayers I’ve asked for,the answers is always be no, asking for miracles from heaven.
    I’m a good person and I believe GOD loves me and you. It’s been anything from a easy life with emotional and physical trauma. And at times I wish I was never born, pain does funny things to you.
    The physical goes away if your lucky, but the emotional last a life time,
    My only pray now is when my life is over that it changes, I won’t stop trying while I’m here,
    GOD if you here my prayers there are people just like me in this world, please say yes to some even if it’s not me, I was once a 7 year old boy praying my father not to go. I needed my father, his death changed my life. Please give my prayers to a child like me, life shouldn’t be this hard for some.
    I’ve had over 45 years suffering, from the skin grafts to now the amputation to a brothers suicide.
    Are prayer are important, we need them just to keep going.

    1. Rich, I will certainly be praying for you. I’d like for you to know that my heart goes out to you and the courage you’ve displayed in all that you’ve had to deal with in your life. May God richly bless you for reminding all of us that we have so much to be grateful for that we take for granted. Blessings upon blessings upon you. You’re an inspiration to us all. Thank you. A sister in Christ.

    2. Hi Rich I,
      I felt the need to respond to you even though you wrote this a while back. I landed on this site while I was searching for answers because of my own pain and despair. I do not like seeing people in pain, be it strangers or family. I am sure God does not want us to be broken and in pain like this either.
      I pray that He blesses you exceedingly abundantly for, instead of praying for your own rescue, you prayed for others( His children). I believe this is what God desires, for us to love and care for each other. I pray that your luck changes for the better in every aspect of your life and that your relationship with Him will get to a much deeper level. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

    3. Rich, that is another myth many false teachers perpetuate, that God only gives you what you can handle. There is nothing in the Scriptures that states that. It does mention temptations, but why would we need God, Grace or the Holy Spirit if we were self sufficient in our ability to handle trials? God does indeed give some people more than they can handle.

  11. I just want to add that Paul prayed 3 times for his affliction to be lifted but God said no.

    1. That was God’s response to Paul for a specific situation. Thus it is not wise to try to create a theology based on someones’s encounter with God. Paul’s encounter is not the same as praying for healing, raising the dead, casting out demons. If we have faith, God’s answer will always be yes.

      1. Author

        Brian – I agree. We can compare our prayer life to Paul only when we start to visit Heaven on a regular basis like him. We love you all. Rex

  12. You wrote that the Bible says all believing prayer will be answered with the believed result. What if God doesn’t want you to have what you prayed for because it’s not part of His plan? What if the answer to the prayer comes 1, 10, 40 years later or never in our lifetime? It’s the waiting that is difficult for us because we may wonder if we simply were not believing enough. My faith says He knows my needs, He will answer in His own way and time, because His grace is sufficient for me and He knows my needs most intimately. Still, I’m having a hard time understanding how believing prayer will ALWAYS be answered with the believed result when the answer can sometimes be the opposite of what we ask for. Guess I need more understanding in this area.

    1. Yes, these are the same issues that I’m dealing with. This teaching had expanded my idea of faith, but I still haven’t been blessed with another baby.

      1. Well said. You said exactly what I was thinking. We know God’s timing is not our timing. If we do ask for something, not outlandish like a million dollars or something contrary to his word, and we pray faithfully and believe it is done and it never comes is it 1)Not in his will 2) Did he say no 3) Is he still waiting on us to do something else to answer this prayer. I need more understanding as well. My faith tells me to pray and give it to God and before you know it .. it is done but does it ever come?

      2. Can you please inquire from God His will for you to have a baby? Go to Him in prayer with His written word that none shall be barren according to Exd 23:26. Let your faith then be based on His spoken word. it was easy for Abraham to wait bcos God said it, Paul was able to bear d infirmity bcos He know Gods will about it. Knowing God will will help you to channel your expectations appropriately. the major challenge we have is that we have a way figured out in our mind how we want God to do it, which in most cases it’s not how God wants to.

      3. To Evan, I prayed for you. Perhaps the child will not come in the sense of physical birth but in adoption. I read your earlier comment about how expensive it is, but if the Lord leads you that way, He will provide the money.
        Plenty of humans need parents. Please pray that I get the loving mother I have asked for, even though I am in my twenties and have now prayed for 12 years (Half my life). God bless!

    2. It is possible that we do not know the true will of God. If we are praying for riches, yes it is possible to pray out of God’s will. But, if we are praying to do what Jesus did, then that will always be God’s will. Concerning delay, Daniel 10 – Daniel prayed to God and on the 24th day, he had an encounter with a spokesman who had been delayed. This spokesman had a message from God for Daniel. I feel it is important to “know” the will of God and not wonder if it is God’s will or not.

    3. Author

      Ceebee – Here is what you are missing – you can only truly ‘believe’ if you are in the will of God and He speaks it to your heart. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word (Rhema = personal spoken word, not written word) of Christ – Romans 10:17. Faith is the noun form and believe is the verb form of the same Greek word.

      We throw the word ‘believe’ around like it is water but in fact, it only comes from God and only within the will of God. Faith is a given grace, given when you meet the conditions of the specific promise of God. Hebrews 11:1 says that, ‘Faith is the substance (foundation, reality, title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not (yet) seen.’ Faith is the spiritual ownership documentation used to meet the requirements of God’s bar, and it is what we stand upon until we receive the actual possesion of what He has already granted us in the spirit.

      We are to seek God and His word to find and implement the will of God. As one teacher has said, “Faith begins when the will of God is found.” We love you all. Rex

  13. If you have faith as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible to you Matt 17:20 in proper context the disciples had just failed to cast out a demon. Jesus said it was because of their unbelief. Maybe you’ve still got mustard seed faith which is different from unbelief. Maybe just a little but it’s enough

  14. We have to understand that God is the beginning and the ending. He knows all things before they exist or happen, for He is the Creator. I have learned that sometimes when we pray and it seem as if God is not answering our prayers He really is even if it doesn’t go or happen the way we want it to. He knows what’s best for us. Jeremiah 29:11 . Faith comes when we really truly TRUST GOD in EVERY AREA of our lives. He’s a God of love. He will not do anything to harm His children. Continue to pray, fast, study the word and fellowship with other true believers and watch God move on your behalf. He will step in right on time and reveal those things that we so wanted/ needed/ desire as to why He said yes and other times why He was just silent.

  15. God does respond to the need / pain in prayer! The Bible tells us He reign on the just as well as the unjust. He has no respect of person.

    He know what we have need of. The unbeliever can ask amist not believing, but God just like Sarah she chuckle at the thought of having a baby at her age.

    I get where you’re coming from, but we as people of God have to be careful how we breakdown the word of God. So many souls to be save and many babes in Christ.

  16. God is the giver of children. If your faith has been tested for years, you can’t afford to let go now. God sees the conditions about your desire. I prophecy to you, “This time next year, your story will change”. Amen!

    1. Hi Kolade, in your response I felt your anointing, and I would love to be in contact with you. If you would or could please contact me at …….., I would greatly appreciate it. I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future.

      Blessings to you!

    2. Kolade,

      I have been praying for a second child for 9 years. My wife and I suffered through two miscarriages and we’re in our 50s now.

      If anything is revealed to you about my situation, please let me know.

    3. I have going through divorce and have been praying for marriage restoration. Asking God to stop the divorce process.

      God has been silent.

      The divorce is still going on and the date has even be set for 8 April 2020.

      My faith is really dented

  17. It does say several places in the bible God does answer prayer….you need to research it better before making a comment God does not …

    1. Author

      Sorry, God answers faith not prayer itself. Everyone may pray but only the believers receive. Jesus was clear about this – “Your faith has made you whole.”

      1. I’ve been working on that. Praying, yes, but affirming my faith as well. Meditating on the woman in Matthew 9:20 made whole by touching Jesus’s garment. The Roman centurion in Matthew 8:5 who had faith his servant would be cured. The leper in Luke 5:12 who said if Jesus was willing, he could heal him. That was faith, not prayer, right?

        I know God can give us another child, somehow, at some time. If he is willing. Shortly after this my wife came down with symptoms that may or may not be menopause. Test of faith?

    2. Hi. Faith comes from God. Vould you please clarify such statement for me i am at a low point in my life and my faith has taken a hard beating so if faith comes from God and my faith is a low whst does that mean has God written me off ? How does one get rite with God
      Tx
      Mark

      1. I’m struggling with it too. See my post above. Prayer is necessary and good. But faith is what moves mountains. The woman who touched Jesus’s robe. The centurion who knew his servant would be healed even if Jesus never entered his house. The leper who knew he would be cleansed if the Lord was willing.

        Paul said by faith we are saved. It doesn’t make things easier, just more clear. But it ‘s difficult. I can pray all day long, but if I don’t have faith, what good is it? It’s so hard, I despair sometimes. But when I go to bed, I have faith that I’ll wake up the next morning. When I get in a plane, I have faith that I’ll land safely.

        But when it comes to God and the desires of my heart, when I’ve been desiring something for 9 years, man that’s hard.

        But don’t give up on God. He never gives up on you. He hasn’t written you off.

        A good book that put things in perspective for me is “The Prodigal God” by Tim Keller. An easy read and it really helped me recover the heart of Christian faith.

      2. Faith come by TRUSTING GOD. the Bible clearly say in
        Mark 9:24 King James Version (KJV)
        24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

        Repentance is the only way to get right with God. Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
        6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
        Surrender your being your will to His will. God has not forgotten about you this is only a test trial that comes to make you stronger. If we as children of God never go through anything how can we have a testimony! God loves you. Now love yourself shake the dust and keep moving forward in Christ Jesus. weeping endure for a night but JOY comes in the morning. Keep seeking God and ask Him to give you a personal understanding of His word..

      3. Hi, thanx for your reply i appreciate .Reading the word of God i cant do thst anymore they say its the living word how ? I want to know God as He is not the God of pages in a book what i read in the bible is not what i experiance in life One can only represent God (if that it the correct word) God as one experiances Him i know God is creator and Jesus His son defeated death on the cross for me But whats after that . I have been to demon busters repented and confessed my sin but nothing changes .why ? The story of job in the bible . God threw job under the bus if God dident bring job to satans attention job would not have not sufferd as much in life .is that what God has done to my family i lost both parents and my two brothers its only my sister and me left but the drama never ends Gods promisis huh ! Ts&cs apply God created me for a reason and no amount of praying fasting crying begging has ever gotten me an answer even if i ask for His will there just no going forward possitive thinking dont help when u surrounded by negitve its just wishful thinking if God is the same as the God in the bible why wont he talk to me . Meet me where i am spiritually His arm not to short says the word seek me with all your hart and u will find me if God does not Hi, thanx for your reply i appreciate .Reading the word of God i cant do thst anymore they say its the living word how ? I want to know God as He is not the God of pages in a book what i read in the bible is not what i experiance in life One can only represent God (if that it the correct word) God as one experiances Him i know God is creator and Jesus His son defeated death on the cross for me But whats after that . I have been to demon busters repented and confessed my sin but nothing changes .why ? The story of job in the bible . God threw job under the bus if God dident bring job to satans attention job would not have not sufferd as much in life .is that what God has done to my family i lost both parents and my two brothers its only my sister and me left but the drama never ends Gods promisis huh ! Ts&cs apply God created me for a reason and no amount of praying fasting crying begging has ever gotten me an answer even if i ask for His will there just no going forward possitive thinking dont help when u surrounded by negitve its just wishful thinking if God is the same as the God in the bible why wont he talk to me . Meet me where i am spiritually His arm not to short says the word seek me with all your hart and u will find me if God does not intervien in my life as i have asked 1000 times then i am so scared i am going to hell RegardsMark
        Sent from my Samsung device. intervien in my life as i have asked 1000 times then i am so scared i am going to hell RegardsMark
        Sent from my Samsung device.

  18. Evan. Have you considered adoption. I am an adoptive mother. All children are Gods children and many orphan children need loving homes and parents. I see no difference in my adopted child verses my biological child.. what a gift she is everyday. Pray on your calling to be a parent How you become one should make no difference. All children belong to God after all. Blessings

    1. Tracie,

      Yes, we have considered adoption. And I would be willing to go that way if God leads me that way. However, in California, the foster care system requires you to basically turn your life over to the state. You’re not really a parent, you’re functionary of the state.

      There’s no allowance for discipline. If you even breathe too hard on that child will come down on you like a ton of bricks. On the other hand, private adoption is very expensive and I’d be willing to do it, but we just don’t have the means.

      1. I mail packages to the soldiers in Afghanistan. I thank God every time for getting the package, sometimes with very expensive merchandise including I phones, safely to the soldiers. The last two packages I mailed had over $3000 in merchandise. They are missing now. I have prayed, believed and thanked God for getting the packages safely to their destination but it has yet to happen. Waiting for a response that the packages have been received (5 months now) is maddening. I don’t understand why God is not answering this prayer. I will never stop thanking Him for getting the packages there but I will never pray for anything specific again. I just thank Him for taking care of my concerns. Waiting to see if He will decide to answer my prayer is torture. I only made the request because I believe that God loves me and would honor my prayer for safe delivery of my packages but He didn’t and I don’t understand why. I will never ask God for anything specific again.

        1. Author

          Joseph – I mailed some helpful things to my daughter while she was in boot camp. She got them way after she got home. This is wrong – “but I will never pray for anything specific again” – which you mention twice. That shows an offense and perhaps a bad attitude. You need to spend time with Him and get some guidance in your prayers. Read some of our other articles. God does not honor our prayers because He loves us, He loves everyone. It is faith alone that moves the hand of God. John 3:16 says that He loves the whole world but salvation is only reserved for those that believe Him. I wouldn’t blame God so fast. Love you. Rex

  19. I have been divorced for 20 years and believing God for a soulmate. I didn’t date for 15 of those 20 years. I have had relationships with counterfeits. Is God telling me no to a relationship with someone or just to still wait for Him to bring that person into my life?

    1. Author

      Susan – I have no answers except to say that God wants you fulfilled and happy. Seek Him openly and deeply. Talk to Him like He is your best friend. Delight yourself in Him and He WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. Let Him be a God to you and do what a loving God would do. Seek Him till it hurts and be willing to change. You will find out that He is already at work on it. Listen to what the Holy Spirit says and follow Him completely.

      Seek Him, not beg, with a faith filled expectant heart of hope. He will do it. We love you and do does God. Rex

      Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
      Psalm 37:4, 5

      And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

      Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

      And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. Isaiah 49:23b

      ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3

      Do not call to mind the former things, or dwell on things of the past. Behold, I will do something new; it’s already springing up – can’t you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18, 19

  20. Psalm 91 says when he calls on me I will answer him. I think that makes it clear that the Bible does say that God answers our prayer.

      1. Author

        So, are you saying that God answers every prayer that we pray?! If not, what is the Bible requirement for answering prayer?

    1. Ruth,
      I pray/declare Psalm 91 over my life at least 3 times a week. Yes God answers prayer. It is a prayer of faith that is surrended to God Psalm 91:2. When we surrender our life in service to Him Romans 12:1-2 we are able to believe. Faith has action. Psalm 91:15 is like John 15:7. Living in the word, living by the word. Hanging on His every word. Faith prays, faith declares and faith acts in service with love for others.

      For me, moving from accepting the Scripture is true to believing the Scripture is true, takes meditation and confession over a period of time. I will read the promise and praise God for it. Then objections to the promise working, come to my mind. I refute the worry/doubt with the promises of God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and rest in the promise. I will go over and over and over the promises to assure myself that I can live by them. I will even bring up arguments against Scripture and then refute them with other promises. This for me is fighting for faith. God honors faith. Hebrews 11:6; 2 Chronicles 16:9

  21. So what happens if you pray for something, say a miracle or healing of an illness and you have complete faith in Gods ability to perform this miracle (which is as you would consider bible based faith) but it doesn’t happen. Does that mean the person praying didn’t have enough faith? I just can’t seem to get around that idea. Could it simply be that it wasn’t God’s will to heal that person?

  22. Dear sir savant of God receive my greetings in Jesus name Amen please assist me Bible books yours pastor Moses L. Karani p. o. Box 1191=30300=kapsabet Kenya my God bless you.

    1. I have depression and mental disorders ( I would not indicate my mental disorders) but these mental disorders made me hurt my friend unintended. Because of that he can never want me back again as friend, so many times I asked forgiveness to him and chance for reconciliation but he said no and no. I have suffered from guilt specially as a christian, because i failed God and I should have been the one helping my friend to get closer to God yet I hurt him now i am accountable to it, as brethren I should have been a role model as he is seeking God but what a failure I am to hurt him. Every day I cry and day and night I had been praying. Will God ever grant me a yes for my friend to accept me again as friends? Will God ever grant a yes to my prayer of reconciliation even my friend doesn’t want to?

  23. Very good and thoughtful advice. I will do it. Thanks and God Bless you.

  24. I’ve been praying for a second child for 9 years without results. My wife and I are both in our 50’s.

    I’m confused as to the difference between believing prayer and just desiring something.

    What’s the difference between affirming “I believe God will answer this prayer” versus just “this is why I want”?

    1. Audra
      Have you considered how God will get the glory as a result of having a child? Will you dedicate the child’s life to Him? Will you testify about God’s grace? Will you teach the child to advance the kingdom of God. It may be that God wants to know that the child won’t become an idol. Find scriptures to incorporate into your prayers that lets God know you are aware of His promises (ie. He promised to bless the fruit of your womb. He told us to be fruitful and multiply. He said we would not suffer the plaques of Egypt. He promises that He would not withhold any good thing from us.) .

      Also, repent of any secret or open blaming. Repent of any past regrets that you may have not fully accepted forgiveness. Believe and declare that you are forgiven and that you have a right to abundant life.

    2. Author

      Evan – I am sorry this took so long for you to get a response. I just saw it. There is a difference between desires (wants) and hopes. A hope has to have a plausible possibility of happening. In this case, it must be based upon a promise in the Word of God. Read any of all of the following articles:

      “All Things Are Possible” – Really, What Things?
      There Is Hope When You Are Beyond Hope
      Abraham – Natural Hope Verses God’s Promised Hope
      Hope and Faith Know the Future
      Things That Can Be Hoped For
      “I hope it will happen” vs. “I know it will happen”
      We Must Act on What We Hear from God
      God Can Do It But Will He Do It?
      Faith Gives Substance To Hope – John Osteen
      Faith Is the Ability, Believing Is Acting On that Ability
      Mercy – Bending the Rules of God

      1. FM,

        Thanks for the response and the articles. They were very encouraging.

        I think my prayer for a second child qualifies as a hope because I’ve read several cases of women having babies in their fifties. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Hannah all experienced this blessing. Any new life glorifies God, and if this prayer were granted, I would never stop telling people about how our God answers prayers for real.

        Last year, the girl who used to cut my hair told me that God ‘told her’ that my wife and I would have another baby. Nothing has come of it yet. Is that just part of the journey or was she deceived?

        I guess my last hurdle is how to pray a believing prayer. Does the believing come from what I say to God or is it in my attitude as I approach it? In the past, my prayers have been overwrought, demanding even. I believe that I can look beyond natural circumstances. Is that all there is to it?

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