Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Why Are Prayers Not Answered?
    Why Are Prayers Not Answered?
    Why Are Prayers Not Answered?
    Ebook187 pages2 hours

    Why Are Prayers Not Answered?

    By Ikechukwu Stanislaus Onuora

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    This is a book that thoroughly explored the theme of prayer especially the prayer of petition which strictly speaking is the only type of prayer that demands an answer from God. It begins by explaining the meaning and necessity of prayer. It may be said that what water is to fish prayer is to man; for man to live a meaningful life, he must be close to God, and this can only be assured through a prayerful life.
    Christ assured his disciples in John 16:23 that whatever they ask His father in his name, he will grant them. However, experience has shown that many at times prayers are not answered as we expected despite the passion with which we prayed. This has often led a lot of people to question the sincerity and omnipotence of God, even to the extent of loss of faith. However, this book explained that indeed all prayers are answered by God. The problem is that the answer may not always be when or as we wished. If that is so, then there must be reasons for that.
    Following the request of the apostles that Christ should teach them how to pray, the book established that prayer is an art which when learnt and applied well, will yield more positive results. It began then in each of the twelve chapters of the book to briefly explain the art of praying, especially the essential ingredients of prayer that when lacking, can adversely affect our prayer. It emphasised the obstacles that must be avoided for our prayers to win more favours before the divine majesty. It touched on all aspects of praying including the best time, posture, places, forms and dispositions for prayer. This it did with the help of the scriptural experiences of our fathers in faith including Christ himself. It also buttressed its points and propositions with the sayings and life experiences of the saints and great theologians of the church.
    Finally, it was still pointed out that we can never fully understand the reasons behind God’s ways of answering every prayer. Also, no prayer is ever a waste, but if we follow the examples and instructions of the saints, we may likely get more of ‘yes’ to our petitions.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIkechukwu Stanislaus Onuora
    Release dateSep 2, 2017
    ISBN9781370634705
    Why Are Prayers Not Answered?
    Author

    Ikechukwu Stanislaus Onuora

    Ikechukwu is a native of Nsugbe in Anambra State, Nigeria. He has a B.A (Philosophy) from University of Ibadan, Nigeria, HND in Mass Communication from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), and a B.TH (Theology) from Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He is a lecturer at All Hallows Seminary Onitsha since 2009. He enjoys reading, football, table tennis, and listening to good music.

    Related to Why Are Prayers Not Answered?

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      3 Prayers That Always Work

      Jan 28, 2022

      My mother was hospitalized with cancer the summer of my fourteenth year. Day after day, I knelt at a crude altar at a church camp in Missouri, desperate, begging God to heal my mother. She died a few months later. Prayer doesn’t always “work”: As har

      2 min read

    • Article

      Allan & Janine Bagg

      Jun 24, 2022

      Allan & Janine Bagg
      9 min read

    • Article

      Francis Chan

      Nov 27, 2021

      Francis Chan
      2 min read

    • Article

      Living TRIUMPHANTLY

      Dec 30, 2022

      Living TRIUMPHANTLY
      3 min read

    • Article

      Thrive Again

      Mar 30, 2024

      Thrive Again
      4 min read

    • Article

      Mark Batterson

      Jul 30, 2021

      Mark Batterson
      2 min read

    • Article

      3 Points To Ponder On Powerful Prayers

      Feb 9, 2024

      Avery close friend of mine and his wife recently endured a traumatic ordeal. Their energetic 13-year-old son, Lian, was jumping on his trampoline (as he often did). Out of the corner of his eye, my friend noticed his son walking towards the house bef

      2 min read

    • Article

      Getting to Know God

      Mar 16, 2020

      Getting to Know God
      3 min read

    • Article

      A New Day Of Pentecost The Spirit Of Prayer

      Dec 1, 2023

      Over the last few issues, I have shared guiding principles that the early Church lived by (Acts 2:42). This included apostolic doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Last month, we looked at the Christocentric prayer of Paul and the

      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 22, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      9 min read

    • Article

      The Prayer Womb

      Dec 1, 2023

      The Prayer Womb
      3 min read

    • Article

      3 Points To Ponder On Being Righteous In 2024

      Dec 29, 2023

      I can’t believe that it is a new year already. As we take time to reflect on the previous year, we should ask ourselves: Have I made the right choices? Have I stayed true to my New Year’s resolutions? And what improvements can I make in 2024? As I po

      2 min read

    • Article

      Ask Val

      Aug 26, 2022

      Ask Val
      2 min read

    • Article

      Josh & Tara McCauley On A REDEMPTIVE Mission

      Sep 4, 2020

      Whilst his friends were out playing cops and robbers, a young Joshua would sit in the front row of church listening to the sermons of his dad (Rhema Church founder, Pastor Ray McCauley) blissfully unaware that one day he too would be standing behind

      10 min read

    • Article

      “Lord Heal Our Nation”

      Sep 23, 2022

      “Lord Heal Our Nation”
      7 min read

    • Article

      A New Day Of Pentecost The Breaking Of Bread

      Sep 29, 2023

      I’m going to share with you four guiding principles that the early church lived by, in accordance with Acts 2:42. They created a new culture for daily existence in the community of faith by consistently putting these four principles into practice. Ap

      2 min read

    • Article

      Dr. Steven Sandage

      Jul 26, 2022

      Dr. Steven Sandage
      6 min read

    • Article

      Ask Val

      Feb 9, 2024

      Ask Val
      2 min read

    • Article

      Editor’s Hello

      Apr 22, 2022

      As Christians, we should expect to be called to assignments that are bigger than us. But often, we are caught off guard and automatically begin to doubt ourselves. We even go to the extent of asking if we heard God correctly – even when handed an ass

      1 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Why Are Prayers Not Answered?

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Why Are Prayers Not Answered? - Ikechukwu Stanislaus Onuora

      WHY ARE PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED?

      A scriptural and theological investigations into the nature, methods, purposes and obstacles to prayer

      Ikechukwu S. Onuora

      Smashwords Edition

      When a prayer is sincerely uttered by a faithful heart, it rises as incense rises from a sacred altar—St Augustine

      Censor and Copyright page

      Nihil Obstat:

      Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Chukwunedum Anene

      Imprimatur: Most Rev. V.M Okeke

      Archbishop of Onitsha

      Copyright: 2017 Ikechukwu S. Onuora

      Email: Ichaka2002@yahoo.com

      License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share it with another person, please buy an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Commendation

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Forward

      Introduction

      Meaning of Prayer

      Chapter One - Praying Without Faith

      1.1 Faith as the foundation of prayer

      1.2 Faith and Patience

      1.3 Bad influences and Suggestions

      1.4 Neo-Paganism in Prayer and Worship

      1.5 Our Prayers heard according to our faith

      1.6 Pray for faith always

      Chapter Two - Praying Without Attention

      2.1 Types of distraction

      2.2 Expelling distractions

      2.3 The best time for prayers

      2.4 Praying in the church

      2.5 The importance of silence

      2.6 Prayer of meditation

      2.7 Saying the liturgical prayers

      2.8 Uncontrollable distractions

      Chapter Three - Praying in the Flesh (Living in Sin)

      3.1 The Consequences of sinful living

      3.2 Sin and the Spirit

      3.3 The Sexual sin

      3.4 The dynamic of body and spirit

      3.5 What actually constitutes Sin?

      3.6 Being our brother’s keeper in righteous living

      Chapter Four - Praying With Animosity

      4.1 Having the Christian heart of love

      4.2 The Christian warfare

      4.3 Deliverance prayers

      4.4 Overcoming hurt and anger

      Chapter Five - Praying Without Help

      5.1 The need for group prayers and soliciting for prayers

      5.2 Our various intercessors

      5.2.1 The Virgin Mary

      5.2.2 The Angels (the heavenly spirits)

      5.2.3 The Saints

      5.2.4 Our righteous brethren

      5.2.5 The Children

      Chapter Six - Praying Without Necessary Action

      6.1 The need to support our prayer with work

      6.2 Giving undue time to prayer

      6.3 Making unreasonable offerings

      Chapter Seven - Praying Without Perseverance

      7.1 The power of perseverance

      7.2 The test of perseverance

      7.3 Persistence in prayer

      Chapter Eight - Praying Without Sacrifice

      8.1 Sacrifice as the essence of prayer

      8.2 Works of mercy

      8.2.1 Corporal works of mercy

      8.2.2 Spiritual works of mercy

      8.3 Church donations

      8.4 Paying of Tithe

      Chapter Nine - Praying Selfishly

      9.1 Humility in prayer

      9.2 Praying for others

      9.3 Praying for our own needs

      9.4 Making a show of prayer

      Chapter Ten - Praying Without Challenging God

      10.1 Making a promise in prayer

      10.2 Praying with the scripture

      10.3 Addressing God with your righteousness

      Chapter Eleven - Praying Outside the Will of God

      11.1 Subsuming our will to the will of God

      11.2 Trusting in the will of God for us

      11.3 Attributing undue power to the enemy

      Chapter Twelve - Dishonouring Your Parents, Elders and Superiors

      12.1 Understanding the fourth commandment

      12.2 The divine fatherhood and human Fatherhood

      12.3 Parental blessing and curse

      Conclusion

      Addendum—Litany of Humility

      About the Author

      Other books by Ikechukwu S. Onuora

      Endnotes

      FORWARD

      According to St Augustine, as our body cannot live without nourishment, so our soul cannot spiritually be kept alive without prayer. ‘Those who pray,’ he says, ‘do more for the world than those who fight, and if the world is going from bad to worse, it is because there are more battles than prayer.’

      I completely share with Fr Stan Onuora in this book – WHY ARE PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED that without prayer, a child of God ceases to be so. One who does not pray is himself very vulnerable and attracts sins to himself, and in addition is overcome by the evil one. Prayer is our life; we must continue to pray, for it is to our soul what rain is to the soil. No matter how the soil is fertilized, it will remain barren unless it is fed by frequent rains. It is the same with the soul. No matter how it may look like, without prayer, it remains fruitless and cannot radiate the glory that is required of it.

      This book is all about prayer, how to pray effectively, how to pray so that our prayers may be given a favourable response. It is not just about mere feelings or emotional satisfactions in prayer or consolation in prayer but how to pray in order to arrive at the goal of prayer, that is, the actual union of the soul with God. In this small but mighty piece, Fr Stan has helped us to believe and accept that prayer is very necessary for our existence as children of God, and if we really accept this fact, we also see this booklet as a preparation for an effective prayer. Here Fr Stan identifies certain factors that can constitute obstacles or hindrances to our praying well, for a favourable response to our prayer. For him, if these hindrances are removed, the obvious is that our prayers should get to the ears of the one who answers our prayers, and the consequence is assured.

      But the question remains, how do we know that our prayers are answered? Is it when we are able to shout in prayer or filled with all the emotional satisfactions after prayer? Is it only when we get it as we asked it, that is, when God did as exactly as we prayed? This is another issue in this work. Fr has made us to know that our God is a free being as well. He knows more than we do and more still, He knows what is best for us and gives us the best. Therefore, when we have done what we suppose to do, it is left for God to do his own. So, God answers every prayer offered well, positively or negatively. Fr tells us to be docile and accept what God has for us when we have prayed the way we should, that is, when we have first of all fought and removed all these obstacles. Prayer remains our mutual communication with God. If it is so, then we must make sure our relationship with him is cordial before the communication begins. This is the essence of the work. If we are able to certify that the relationship is cordial, then we communicate, and when we communicate, we should have the confidence that our prayer is answered, for God gives us the best. Our fundamental effort should therefore be to remove these obstacles or get ourselves prepared as Fr has laid down here. Then the consequence or what follows is the best that God gives us. However, we should ask for the grace to be able to take what He gives us in His wisdom, for as finite beings, we are short-sighted.

      Another point worthy of mention here as Fr Stan reflects is that God is not bribed, yet He expects us to do our duty towards Him. in carrying out these duties, we should also be reasonable enough to do what is in our power as God has given us, and not try to impress God by trying to do what ordinarily we cannot do, with the intention of getting more from God. Fr warns us to beware of false and greedy prophets whose target may be to sap us in the name of giving more that God may give us more. It is true that God acts like that but these false prophets try to exaggerate things in order to get things from desperate children of God. By their fruits you will know them! We may not impress God with the gifts that God has given us, but with the type of life we live.

      Going through this work therefore, we should be enriched and as well be ready to pray better, for when we prepare for our prayers, we not only get consolation, but really get in touch with the one we pray to. The book prepares us for more effective prayer. I earnestly recommend it to all who sincerely desire to improve in their prayer life. Remember also that ‘a short but fervent prayer will usually do more to bring about a conversion than long discussion of fine speeches.’

      Rev Fr Ben Okakpu (OCSO)

      Back to ToC

      INTRODUCTION

      Since the earliest days of man on earth, he had come to realise that there are a good number of things, events and occurrences beyond his control. There are in addition, many (spiritual) forces that heavily influence his fate and destiny. Some of these forces are positive while others are negative, and they are in constant war with each other while man bears the brunt of it. But the greatest of them all, he has come to realise, is fortunately good. This one he most times refers to as God.

      As man attained the age of maturity, he has furthermore found out that he can always influence these supernatural forces and make them favourable to his yearnings. So man began to learn and distinguish between the good forces and the evil forces, and even the hierarchy within each group. He begins to note what pleases them, what annoys them and how to appease them. This led to the invention of various forms of sacrifice and prayer as ways through which man communicates and influences the divine. Prayer remains the greatest power on earth, because while God, the Supreme Being, is unchangeable by nature, it remains the only thing that can change the mind of God and prompt him to actions he wouldn’t have ordinarily done.

      Today, it is generally agreed that what water is to fish, so is prayer to man. Man cannot live meaningfully without prayer as he needs the assistance of the divine intervention to succeed and get fulfilled in life. The necessity of prayer therefore lies in human weakness and desire to overcome his limitations and achieve breakthroughs which are naturally above his reach. The problem however is that despite the assurance of Christ that anything we ask the Father in his name, he will grant us (Jn.16:23), many at times even the best efforts at prayer don’t yield the desired results. This has led man at times to desperation, to question the existence of God, his all-goodness, omnipotence and unchangeability.

      Well, it’s a fact that we can never fully know or understand God and his ways, but the Holy Scripture which Christians believe was inspired by God, provides us with great insights into the nature and ways of God, and especially why our prayers at times miss the mark. This book has

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1