John 14:14 KJV
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

This question of delayed answer or unanswered prayer resounds in many people's heart. Today we will see reasons from the scriptures.

Some reasons for unanswered or delayed answers to prayers are as follows:

● inconsistency in our request before God -
James 1:6-8 KJV
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

When we come to God in prayers we need to be very decisive and unwavering. Focus is very vital in making our requests known to God. Imagining how uneasy it is to receive our requests, is a simple way of disregarding God and His power.

Philippians 4:6 KJV
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

● Inappropriate timing -
Habakkuk 2:3 KJV
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Sometimes God might, have a better timing, hence the delay in our anticipated response.

● Lack of Faith -
James 1:6 KJV
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

When we make our requests to God, we need to have faith that He has done it. This is what makes us receive our answers from God. Without faith, we cannot receive anything from God.

● Lack of importunity -
Luke 11:8 KJV
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Our Lord Jesus, while teaching on prayers, made mention of importunity, as a key factor to answered prayers. Without importunity many prayers might be left unanswered.

● Praying amiss -
James 4:3 KJV
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

This is the all encompassing part, if we pray amiss, we shouldn't expect anything from God.
Praying amiss is simply praying outside the will of God.

If we can deal with these issues,  we can be sure we'll have answered prayers.

God delights in answering our prayers, because He is glorified in our testimonies.

Life application 

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