Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Forsake God

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In the Christian faith, prayer is a vital means of communication with God, a way for believers to express their needs, desires, and gratitude. However, the Bible makes it clear that answers to prayer are not guaranteed to all who pray. Specifically, those who forsake God—turning away from His commandments and choosing a path of disobedience—may find their prayers unanswered.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures provide numerous instances where God explicitly states that He will not hear the prayers of those who have abandoned Him. This principle is rooted in the nature of God as holy and just, requiring a sincere heart and a life aligned with His will.

1. Proverbs 28:9 · "Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable."
This verse underscores the importance of obedience to God's law. When individuals choose to ignore God's commandments, their prayers become offensive to Him.

2. Isaiah 1:15 · "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood."
Here, God addresses the people of Israel, who, despite their numerous prayers, are ignored because of their sinful actions. The imagery of blood-stained hands symbolizes their guilt and rebellion against God.

3. Jeremiah 14:10-12 · "This is what the LORD says about this people: They greatly love to wander; they have not restrained their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish their sins. Although they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them."
The prophet Jeremiah conveys God's message to a wayward nation. Despite their religious rituals, their lack of genuine repentance and continued disobedience result in God refusing to hear their prayers.

4. Ezekiel 8:18 · "Therefore I will respond with wrath; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout loudly in My ears, I will not listen to them."
In this passage, God expresses His judgment on those who have turned to idolatry and forsaken Him. Their cries are met with divine silence due to their persistent rebellion.

Theological Implications

The denial of answers to prayer for those who forsake God serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with Him. It highlights the necessity of repentance and obedience as prerequisites for effective prayer. The Bible consistently teaches that God desires a contrite heart and a life committed to His ways.

Practical Application

For believers, these passages serve as a call to self-examination and repentance. It is crucial to approach God with sincerity, acknowledging any areas of disobedience and seeking His forgiveness. By aligning one's life with God's will, believers can ensure that their prayers are heard and answered according to His perfect plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 14:10,12
Thus said the LORD to this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD does not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... so often doubted a God who never yet denied himself, who ... IN PRAYER, AND THE LONG
LIST OF ANSWERS WHICH WE ... The first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When the Arians, who denied the divinity of Christ ... up so many prayers without receiving
answers?" The apostle ... diligently seek him." (2.) The prayer of faith ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

The Christian's God
... Personality is denied, and it is asserted that this ... personal relations with man,
and who hears and answers prayer. ... Ever since those early times there has been ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ii the christians god.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Answers. ... him for our Intercessor nothing which we ask in his name will be denied
to us ... it, and acquiesce in it, yet to assign to them any other prayer than that ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... it is he calls, and for what reason, he answers, it is ... our Savior intend to teach
us by this prayer, but just ... them," (1:Sam.2:25), it is not denied that their ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... in the God of providence?"faith in the God who answers prayer? ... to doubt whether the
Lord does hear prayer at all ... yet will not I," would have denied his Master ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Faith and Courage.
... never seen men or women disappointed in receiving answers to their ... He denied his
Master with oaths and cursing ... I started out and went to the noon prayer-meeting ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... He answers, Even I, "which have" set, or "placed the sand for ... to make a man, he having
first denied the work ... 5. Do not these fears weaken thy heart in prayer? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Christ of the Gospels.
... It is he that talketh with thee," answers Jesus. ... Is there any subtle railing in the
prayer: "Our Father ... of his Apostles: let every thing else be denied, yet we ...
/.../the christ of the gospels 2.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... and his mother-in-law, and when he answers to the ... streets would cry out against me
if I denied my guilt ... John Bradford said, that when he was in prayer, he never ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm