What prevents God from hearing our prayers?
Verse: Psalms 102:1-2
God’s hearing is never impaired (see Psalm 94:9). But the language of Biblical poetry sometimes pictures God as though he were deaf (see Deuteronomy 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 Psalm 50:21). Pride: God wants to help those who are humble in spirit, not those who are proud (see James 4:6). Self-seeking: When people pray for selfish reasons, God may refuse their requests (see James 4:3). Sin: Disobeying God can separate someone from God and cause prayers to go unanswered (see Isaiah 59:1-2). Unbelief: Spiritual instability can undermine prayers (see James 1:6-7). Broken relationships: A husband’s prayers may be hindered if he has treated his wife disrespectfully (see 1 Peter 3:7).
This devotion is from The Quest Study Bible by Zondervan. Used with permission.
