Psalm 102:1–2
God’s hearing is never impaired (see Ps 94:9). But the language of Biblical poetry sometimes pictures God as though he were deaf (see Dt 1:45). This was simply a figurative way to say that God does not always respond to requests as people might want.
Sometimes answers come only after long delays; other times answers may come in an unrecognized form or in a manner the petitioner would not have wanted.
Effective prayer requires that the one praying have the right attitudes:
reverence, humility, proper motivation and purity.
Ineffectual prayer—that which God seems to ignore—often results from the lack of such qualities.
Here are a few examples:
- Irreverence: God may ignore those who are irreverent (see Ps 50:21).
- Pride: God wants to help those who are humble in spirit, not those who are proud (see Jas 4:6).
- Self-seeking: When people pray for selfish reasons, God may refuse their requests (see Jas 4:3).
- Sin: Disobeying God can separate someone from God and cause prayers to go unanswered (seeIsa 59:1–2).
- Unbelief: Spiritual instability can undermine prayers (see Jas 1:6–7).
- Broken relationships: A husband’s prayers may be hindered if he has treated his wife disrespectfully (see 1Pe 3:7).
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