• Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Free Resources for Writers
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
Type and hit ENTER
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Free Resources for Writers
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
GET CONNECTED
retina-image
cart
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Free Resources for Writers
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
  • 0 Items : $0.00cart
Why is God Ignoring Your Prayers?
Share
Unanswered prayer
Prayer, Spiritual Growth

Why is God Ignoring Your Prayers?

July 23, 2024
-
Posted by Cindi

Are you wondering why God isn’t answering a particular prayer of yours? Maybe He seems silent and you’re wondering why you should pray at all—especially if God doesn’t appear to be doing anything about it.

Oh, how we hate the silence of God. And yet, God does some of His best work in the quiet.

It’s easy to get the idea that because we pray, God is obligated to answer. Yes, God is good. Yes, He is loving. But He also promises to work all things for our good, when we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Sometimes our waiting—and unanswered prayer—makes us more dependent upon God, like His Son, Jesus. And when we become more like Jesus, God is working our situation for our eternal good (Romans 8:29).

God is also eternal, meaning His idea of time is different than yours and mine. God may choose to wait a whopping 10-20 years to give you something you’re asking for. For you and me, that seems like an eternity. To God, it is just a moment in time. And yet, His timing for your life and mind is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Sometimes, God’s work is in the eternal realm where we can’t see it. Proverbs 3:5 gives us good advice when we can’t see what God is doing: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding” (CSB). Trust that what He does in the silence is in the scope of the billions of consequences and details that He is ever aware of and that you may never be able to see this side of heaven.

Sometimes God’s refusal to answer your prayer is His way of keeping you close by…still asking, still waiting, still relying on Him. Show God that He can trust you to be faithful even in the silence. Even in the uncertainty. Even in the dark.

If you ever feel that God is distant, He is not the One who moved further away. If you ever believe He’s not speaking, you might be the one who hasn’t been quiet enough to listen. (I’m right there with you, friend.)

Psalm 84:11 tells us, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor;
he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” That promise of God assures us that if we are living with integrity and God doesn’t appear to be granting our request, it either isn’t good for us or it isn’t time. Trust Him with what appears to be His silence.  And know He is always there, always cares, and is always listening.

For help hearing God speak through His Word, your circumstances, or His quiet whispers on your heart, see my purse-sized devotional book, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart.

July 23, 2024
6 Comments
Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning author and national speaker who helps women find strength for the soul. She has nearly 35 years experience ministering to women and inspiring them to let God meet their emotional needs, grow stronger through their alone times, and pursue their dreams with boldness.
← PREVIOUS POST
How Do You Know if It's Really a Word from God?
NEXT POST →
Where is God When Your Life Starts to Crumble?

6 Comments

on Why is God Ignoring Your Prayers?.
  1. Ramona Klassen
    July 23, 2024 @ 3:32 pm
    -
    Reply

    Hi Cindi. When I was reading your post all I could think of was David in Psalms. His prayers were a mixed bag, and yet he stood firm faithfully with God. Yes he complained and whined concerning God not answering but that didn’t stop him from seeking God daily for answers. One of my prayers took 50 years to answer. I begged, cried, got angry and pouted each time I would pray for an answer. But when the answer came (finding my bio dad), oh the joy that came from that answer. And I never stop thanking God for the answer which I waited so long for. He remains faithful even in unanswered prayer. We just need to rest in Him knowing it will come.

    • Cindi
      July 23, 2024 @ 3:57 pm
      -
      Reply

      Thank you, Ramona, for sharing your experience with what feels like unanswered prayer. God is always working on our behalf, isn’t He? And His timing is always best. I’m glad you are continuing to find joy in that long-awaited answer to prayer. Thanks for sharing your heart. 🙂

  2. Kathy Shepard
    July 25, 2024 @ 6:43 am
    -
    Reply

    Confirmation I am so grateful that God knows what’s best for me I will continue to lean upon his word because without it I would be a mess Thank you for sharing ❤️

    • Cindi
      July 25, 2024 @ 9:38 am
      -
      Reply

      You’re welcome, Kathy. Thank you for your honest comment. I believe we are ALL a mess without Him and His guiding Word. 😉

  3. terri
    July 25, 2024 @ 9:58 am
    -
    Reply

    I’ve been tempted to quit bringing up a certain prayer request to the Lord because I thought maybe His answer was “no”, but after reading this I decided not to quit. thank you ♥

    • Cindi
      July 25, 2024 @ 1:24 pm
      -
      Reply

      Hi Terri! Don’t quit. Remember the parable Jesus told about the unrighteous judge who gave in to a woman’s constant pleading of her case simply because he was tired of her bugging him. Then Jesus let us know how much more God will bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night (Luke 18:1-7). That tells me our persistence wins over the heart of our God who loves us. And Matthew 7:11 tells us “If you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Press on. He listens. And He loves to come through for His children.

Leave a Comment

Your feedback is valuable for us. Your email will not be published.
Cancel Reply

Please wait...
Submit Comment

Categories
Also Find Cindi on:

Cindi’s Books Also Available On:
kindlenook
Facing Uncertainty? God's Word is full of assuranc Facing Uncertainty? God's Word is full of assurances that He will take care of His own. 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/3-biblical-reminders-when-your-future-looks-uncertain/
When we know God's loving eye is upon us how can w When we know God's loving eye is upon us how can we still fret?
It's been one of those weeks, but God is still in It's been one of those weeks, but God is still in control. Sometimes we just need a perspective shift.
Most of us don't realize how lonely we really are. Most of us don't realize how lonely we really are.
Listen in on my conversation about The New Lonelin Listen in on my conversation about The New Loneliness with Neil Boron (WDCX Radio New York/Ontario/Toronto) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 by going to this link and clicking on "listen live"  from 11-12 noon PST (2-3 pm EST): https://www.wdcxradio.com/
Let's spend more time with people than our phones Let's spend more time with people than our phones this week. Here's how...
https://strengthforthesoul.com/take-this-connection-challenge-with-me/
Catch my conversation on the new loneliness we are Catch my conversation on the new loneliness we are experiencing today on WYSA, Wake Up Call Morning Show in Toledo: https://yeshome.com/positive-chats-podcast-01-15-2025/
In this high-tech era we live in, we should feel s In this high-tech era we live in, we should feel super connected with one another, yet  we are lonelier than we've ever been. These three steps will help you draw closer to God and others: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/3-ways-to-feel-more-connected-with-god-and-others/
Follow on Instagram

SIGN UP FOR CINDI'S BLOG

  • ABOUT CINDI
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright Strength for the Soul, 2018

Why is God Ignoring Your Prayers? | Strength for the Soul