Higher Ground

“I pray and pray, and I don’t think God even hears me!” Elena’s friend, Cara, sobbed as she related her recent struggles. The truth was, Cara had been walking in willful disobedience to God. There were things of her own making that were hindering her desperate prayers.

Self-will, rebellion, and disobedience led King Saul to cry out, “God . . . does not answer me anymore” (2 Samuel 15:22-23). Psalm 66:18 states that if I hold a particular sin in my heart, He will not hear my prayer.

Jesus clearly taught in Matthew 6:14-15 that people who will not forgive others will not be heard when they ask God for forgiveness.

Covetousness is a very “respectable” sin that is found in the best of families. But it is a sin that God hates (Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:5, 1 Timothy 6:10, Malachi 3:7-9). Many Christians have their hearts so set on material possessions that God cannot answer their prayers.

Discord in the home grieves God and hinders fellowship with Him. Peter specifically tells husbands to treat their wives lovingly “that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

Offended brothers unreconciled are mentioned by Christ in Matthew 5:23-24 as things that need to be resolved prior to coming before God. Debts unpaid are mentioned in Psalm 37:21: “The wicked borrows and does not repay.” Could these be reasons that some Christians’ prayers are unheard?

Finally, Proverbs 28:9 tells us that indifference toward the Bible makes prayer detestable to God. Time spent in the Word—meditating, studying, memorizing, surrendering to, and following it—results in a rich prayer life!

Lord, search our hearts!