Some may wonder why our prayers are not always effective. Here are some explanations from Scripture:

1. Our faith is not strong enough.

Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22) And the Book of James says, "But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind." (James 1:6-7).

2. We ask with wrong motives.

The Book of James says, "You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:3)

3. Un-repented sin builds a barrier between us and God so that our prayer is blocked.

"No, the hand of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather, it is your crimes that separate you from your God, It is your sins that make him hide his face so that he does not hear you." (Isaiah 59:1-2)

4. We have not been generous with the requests and needs of others.

"Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves call out and not be answered." (Proverbs 21:13).

5. God cannot trust us with blessings, for we are not conformed to his word or trustworthy with lesser things.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you." (John 15:7).

"If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?" (Luke 16:11-12)

God’s “delay” and our need to persevere in prayer are mysterious aspects of God’s providence.

Pray, pray, pray! We are all taught persistence and should always use it in prayer. Don't think that God doesn't hear you. He does, but sometimes you need to take a step back and reflect on your actions.