Bible Questions Answered: Unanswered Prayer

Bible Question:
God doesn't answer everyones prayers, why not?
Lilly W. / Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Bible Question Answered:
Well, God has three possible answers to our prayers.
I) Yes!
II) Wait!
III)No!

The first two answers are not too hard, but the last one, that one upsets many. Would God ever say no?
James 4:3 tells us there are “Unanswered Prayers.”
“Ye ask, and receive not,...”

(Five reasons for unanswered prayer)

I) Sin: Isaiah 59:1,2 “[1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: [2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."

II) Selfishness: James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

III) Stinginess: Proverbs 21:13 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

IV) Unforgiving: Mark 11:25,26 “25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

V) Unbelieving: James 1:6,7 “6. 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.”