When Your Prayers Are Not Answered

1 Samuel 28:1-20

1. Introduction

   • Saul’s distress and lack of guidance from God
   • The danger of seeking solutions outside of God’s will
     

2. Praying Without Receiving

   • God hears our prayers even in our sinful state
   • Saul’s prayers may have gone unanswered due to a failure to truly listen and hear God’s voice
   • Religious rituals and activities should be accompanied by genuine faith, repentance, and surrender to God’s will
     

3. Religious Form vs. True Faith

   • The danger of religious formalism without genuine faith and a personal relationship with God
   • True faith requires surrender, obedience, and a heartfelt pursuit of God’s will

1. Prayer with Wrong Motives

   • Prayers can go unanswered if our motives are wrong
   • Prayer should be about honest, open communication with God, pouring out our joys, fears, and concerns while listening for His guidance
     

2. Priorities in Prayer

   • Evaluating our priorities in prayer is essential
   • Seeking God’s will above all else and aligning our hearts and desires with His purposes
   • Prayer requires constant communication and a willingness to listen to God’s leading
     

3. Trusting the Bigger Picture

   • Sometimes God’s apparent silence in answering our prayers is part of a bigger plan
   • Trusting that God sees and knows what is best for us, even when we may not understand His reasons
     

4. Next Steps

   • Evaluating our own hearts, priorities, and motives when prayers go unanswered
   • Approaching prayer with a heart of surrender, aligning our desires with God’s purposes, and trusting in His timing and wisdom