Inspirational Story

Why aren’t my Prayers Answered?

This is a excerpt from More Incredible Answer to Prayer by Roger Morneau

A large number of Christians mentioned in their letters and phone calls that their prayers seemed to be going nowhere.  They asked me what I thought the problem was.  First I tried to help by questioning them about their Christian life.  But that approach seemed to e a dead end.  Finally I asked the Lord to have the Holy Spirit help me to understand the problem.

Before I went to bed that particular night I opened the Bible for something to meditate on before I fell asleep.  When I flipped it open I saw the Lord’s Prayer.  I did not stop there, however, but continued reading.  “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matt 6:14,15

Instantly it occurred to me that the unforgiving attitude of some people could be blocking the way of God’s blessings.  Since then I have helped many individuals by asking if they have difficulty in forgiving the shortcomings of others or the wrongs those individuals may have done them.

One woman was puzzled why her prayers seemed so ineffectual.  When I brought up this possible attitude, she instantly stated that that was her problem. “In fact,” she said, “It’s a characteristic that runs in my family.  I will always remember my granddad saying, “If anybody does anything hurtful to you, don’t get mad—just wait for the right opportunity, and get even with that person.”” She then admitted that only a miracle of God in her life would enable her to forgive others.

About six months later she called again.  But this time rejoicing filled her voice as she told how God ha given her the capacity to truly forgive others.  And now her prayers were producing beautiful results.