Faith and doubt
What does the Bible say about unanswered prayer?
The Bible holds together bold promises about prayer and honest laments about silence, and points to a Father who gives what is good rather than what is merely asked.
What Scripture says
1 John 5:14-15
“This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.”
James 4:3
“You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
“Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
Psalm 13:1-2
“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.