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Does God Hear and Answer Every Prayer?

Proverbs 28:9, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

The troubles of this present world have plagued the children of God since the transgression of Adam in the garden. Many prayers have been prayed, of which the libraries of this world could not contain the books if they were all written on paper. Many times have the Lord’s children cried unto the Lord for help and wisdom in their times of need. The Lord, at times, has answered those prayers in a powerful way. But there have been many times when the Sovereign Ruler of the universe has not answered the request as they were asked. Any student of the Bible must confess that God is sovereign and not man. God does as He pleases, when He pleases, how He pleases and when He pleases. Job said it like this in Job 23:13, “But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.” If it is the Lord’s will to answer or not answer the request of His little child, He never ceases to be God, but is simply exercising His sovereign will to do as He pleases. And yet there is another reason why the requests of God’s children is not answered. Often, we are so disobedient to His commands, He simply will not hear.

When growing up in the beautiful state of Georgia, I had many times when my dear dad was not pleased with my behavior. There were some of those times when I had asked for something, when he would simply say, “Son, look here, I ain’t got time to listen to you right now. Why don’t you get yourself in some kind of order and then come talk to me.” I trust this life experience illustration will help us to understand better what our study verse is teaching.

In our study verse, Solomon tells us of one who turns away from God’s law. This person is one who has made up their mind to go in their own way and direction and will not receive the correction of God’s Word. In Psalm 34:15 we read, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Please notice the Lord’s ears are open to the cries of the “righteous.” No question, dear brothers and sisters, the Lord’s precious blood has made all of His elect righteous before the judgment seat of glory. There is nothing that could be laid to the charge of God’s elect (Romans 8:33). But the elect, while living in this present world, are often found living a life contrary to God’s commands. What happens when the born again elect cry unto God when they are in such a state? By the truth of scripture, we know God is able to do as He pleases. Yes, He can, and has, answered the requests of His elect even when they are disobedient to His commands. But our study verse is referring to the general rule, not the exception. During the times of the elect’s disobedience, not only does their prayers become selfish and self centered, they also are detestable in the sight of God.

In John 9:31, we read the words of a man who was born blind that was healed by the Lord’s amazing power, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners:…” Dear reader, I know what you’re thinking, “But Brother Ronnie, we are all sinners, right?” The answer is yes, we are all sinners by nature and practice. We all fall short of God’s glory and commands. But there are some of God’s children who labor to be closer to God. These saints work diligently to arrest and suppress the carnal nature that they may let God’s wonderful light shine forth from their lives that others may see (Matthew 5:16). When we consider those who walk near to the Great God of Israel, is there any doubt why the Lord hears them when they call? Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is not the message of the health wealth and prosperity, name and claim it the world often publishes. But this is a fact of scripture, if we desire to be heard by the Sovereign Ruler of this universe, we should labor to please Him in everything that we do.

Dear reader, are you in need? Do you believe that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20)? Let let us, as James 4:8 instructs, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” The Lord owns all the cattle of a thousand hills, all the gold of Ophir, and if that wasn’t enough, the world also is His and the fullness thereof (see Psalm 50:12). If we long to enjoy more answered requests (always keeping in mind that He is sovereign to do as He pleases), let us be more diligent to please Him Who loved us before the world began.

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