When God Doesn't Answer the Way You Want | When God Says, “No,” to Our Prayer Requests – Part 1

When God doesn't answer the way you want it can be very discouraging. It can leave us feeling very hurt and confused. When we are praying for ourselves or others and those prayers are not answered, we might feel like it’s our fault. We might be tempted to think, “If we only prayed a little more, had a little more faith, or were a little more mature, then God would say yes.” This sermon will encourage you that it’s not necessarily your fault and you don’t need to feel bad.

Hearing no from God can be quite a trial, but God knows best. His ways are right. He is all knowing and if the answer is no it’s because that's the perfect answer. He understands time and purpose better than we can imagine. Being wise means trusting God and walking by faith including when we hear now.

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00:00 Sermon Lessons for When God Doesn't Answer the Way You Want | When God Says, “No” to Our Prayer Requests – Part 1

God might say no because:

06:37 Lesson 1: we are being ______________ (James 1:5 cf. James 4:1-3).

10:38 Lesson 2: it’s not ______ ________ (John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14).

27:45 Lesson 3: ______ ______ consequences (Deuteronomy 3:23-28, 2 Samuel 12:16-18).

39:59 Lesson 4: of the __________ ____________ (Jeremiah 7:15-17, 15:1, Ezekiel 14:13-16).

Family Worship Guide for When God Doesn't Answer the Way You Want | When God Says, “No” to Our Prayer Requests – Part 1

Day 1: Read James 1:5 cf. James 4:1-3 and discuss: why do we need wisdom during trials? Why do we need wisdom when God doesn’t answer our prayers? Name some selfish prayer requests God might not answer. Name some unselfish prayer requests you hope you would answer. Feel free to share some specific selfish and unselfish requests of your own.

Day 2: Read John 14:13-14 and 1 John 5:14 and discuss: what does it mean to pray in Jesus’s name? How do we know when we are praying in Jesus’s name? How do we know when we are not? Pastor Scott shared about Steven Lee, the founder of Sermon Audio and how God didn’t answer his prayer to bring about something that would bring Him greater glory. Can you think of other examples of this?

Day 3: Read Deuteronomy 3:23-28 and 2 Samuel 12:16-18 and discuss: why wasn’t Moses able to go into the Promised Land? Despite David’s prayer and fasting why do you think the child of adultery died? What can we learn about prayer from these two examples?

Day 4: Read Jeremiah 7:15-17, 15:1, Ezekiel 14:13-16 and discuss: why do you think God wouldn’t listen to the prayers of these godly men interceding for the Jews? What does this teach us about intercession and prayer for others? In what ways does this discourage us? In what ways can this encourage us?