Unanswered Prayers

 

Prayer stands at the heart of the Christian life, a sacred dialogue between the believer and God, through which faith is expressed, needs are presented, and divine will is sought. For evangelical Christians, prayer is not merely a ritual but a vital expression of trust in the Gospel and reliance on the promises of God revealed in the Bible. Yet, one of the most perplexing experiences for believers is that of unanswered prayers—those moments when fervent petitions seem to yield silence or an outcome contrary to what was desired. Over the years, countless prayers have been lifted for personal needs—favor in job interviews, a loving spouse, affordable car repairs, benign medical results, or the gift of a child—as well as for the well-being of others, such as healing from disease, successful surgeries, or safe travels. While God always responds to prayer, His answers are not always "yes"; sometimes they are "no" or "not now," challenging believers to reconcile their desires with His sovereign will.

This blog post examines the phenomenon of unanswered prayers, focusing on 2 Peter 1:5-9 as the foundational scripture, supported by additional Bible passages from the English Standard Version (ESV). In this passage, the Apostle Peter exhorts believers to diligently supplement their faith with virtues such as moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, promising that such growth ensures fruitfulness in the knowledge of Christ. The central thesis of this exploration is that cultivating these qualities equips believers to navigate the complexities of unanswered prayers, fostering a deeper trust in God’s will and a more mature faith. This discussion will unfold through an exegetical analysis of 2 Peter 1:5-9, a theological examination of unanswered prayers, and a concluding reflection on their significance for the Church and the Christian life.

Exegetical Analysis of 2 Peter 1:5-9

To ground our exploration, we begin with a detailed exegetical analysis of 2 Peter 1:5-9, drawing from the ESV translation and engaging with the original Koine Greek to illuminate its meaning and relevance to unanswered prayers.

Context and Structure

2 Peter, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, was written to encourage believers in their faith and warn against false teachers distorting the Gospel. Chapter 1 establishes the foundation of Christian identity, emphasizing the "precious and very great promises" through which believers become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4, ESV). Verses 5-9 build on this, urging believers to actively cultivate a series of virtues:

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these things is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins." (2 Peter 1:5-9, ESV)

The passage is structured as a progressive list, often likened to a "ladder of virtues," where each quality builds upon the previous, culminating in love as the capstone of Christian character.

Key Terms

"Make every effort" (σπουδὴν πᾶσαν παρεισενέγκαντες)
The phrase begins with "spoudē" (σπουδή), meaning diligence, earnestness, or zeal, paired with "pareisenegkantes," a form of "pareispherō," suggesting the act of bringing alongside or contributing. This calls for intentional, active effort in spiritual growth, not a passive reception of grace.

"Supplement" (ἐπιχορηγήσατε)
The verb "epichorēgēo" (ἐπιχορηγέω) is derived from the Greek theater, where a patron would lavishly supply resources for a chorus. Here, it implies generously adding or furnishing these virtues to faith, emphasizing abundance and collaboration with God’s grace.

"Faith" (πίστις)
"Pistis" (πίστις) denotes trust in God and belief in the Gospel, the bedrock of the Christian life upon which all other virtues rest.

"Virtue" (ἀρετή)
"Aretē" (ἀρετή) refers to moral excellence or goodness, reflecting a life aligned with God’s character.

"Knowledge" (γνῶσις)
"Gnosis" (γνῶσις) signifies understanding, particularly of God’s will and nature, gained through scripture and relationship.

"Self-control" (ἐγκράτεια)
"Enkrateia" (ἐγκράτεια) means mastery over desires, a disciplined life resisting temptation.

"Steadfastness" (ὑπομονή)
"Hypomonē" (ὑπομονή) is patient endurance, the ability to persevere under trial while trusting God.

"Godliness" (εὐσέβεια)
"Eusebeia" (εὐσέβεια) denotes reverence and piety, a life oriented toward honoring God.

"Brotherly affection" (φιλαδελφία)
"Philadelphia" (φιλαδελφία) is love for fellow believers, fostering community.

"Love" (ἀγάπη)
"Agapē" (ἀγάπη) is selfless, unconditional love, the pinnacle of Christian virtue.

Theological Implications

This progression suggests a holistic development of character, where faith matures into a life reflecting God’s nature. The emphasis on effort ("make every effort") indicates that while salvation is by grace, sanctification requires partnership with the Holy Spirit. Verses 8-9 tie these qualities to fruitfulness: possessing and increasing in them ensures effectiveness in knowing Christ, while their absence leads to spiritual shortsightedness and forgetfulness of one’s cleansing from sin.

In the context of unanswered prayers, these virtues offer a framework for response:

Faith sustains trust in God’s goodness despite silence (Hebrews 11:6).

Knowledge aligns prayers with God’s will (1 John 5:14).

Self-control submits personal desires to divine purposes.

Steadfastness fosters persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).

Godliness seeks God’s glory above personal gain.

Brotherly affection and love extend prayer beyond self to others.

Thus, 2 Peter 1:5-9 suggests that spiritual maturity mitigates the frustration of unanswered prayers by deepening trust and refining desires.

Theological Discussion on Unanswered Prayers

Building on this exegesis, we now explore the evangelical perspective on unanswered prayers, their causes, and their implications, integrating additional Biblical support.

The Nature of Prayer and God’s Responses

Evangelical theology views prayer as a relational act rooted in the Gospel, where believers approach God as Father through Christ (Ephesians 2:18). The Bible assures that God hears prayer (1 John 5:14), yet His answers vary: "yes," "no," or "wait." Unanswered prayers, as commonly understood, refer to "no" or "wait" responses that defy human expectations. Several scriptural principles explain this:

Alignment with God’s Will
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us" (1 John 5:14, ESV). Prayers outside God’s will may be denied for the believer’s good (Romans 8:28).

Motive Matters
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (James 4:3, ESV). Selfish or sinful motives can hinder answers.

Sin’s Impact
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 66:18, ESV). Unconfessed sin disrupts communion with God.

Faith and Doubt
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting… for that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:6-7, ESV). Doubt can weaken prayer’s effectiveness, though faith does not guarantee a "yes."

Divine Timing
God’s delays often serve greater purposes, as seen in Lazarus’ resurrection (John 11:4-6), teaching patience and trust.

Virtues and Unanswered Prayers

The virtues of 2 Peter 1:5-9 equip believers to respond faithfully:

Faith anchors hope in God’s character, not outcomes.

Knowledge reveals God’s higher ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Self-control curbs impulsive demands.

Steadfastness sustains prayer through delays.

Godliness prioritizes God’s will.

Love fosters intercession, softening self-focus.

For example, a prayer for a job may go unanswered because God intends a different path, requiring steadfastness to trust His plan and knowledge to discern His will.

Implications for Believers

Unanswered prayers, while challenging, yield spiritual benefits:

Trust in Sovereignty
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5, ESV). God’s omniscience surpasses human perspective.

Desire Refinement
Unmet requests prompt alignment with God’s purposes, as Paul learned with his thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

Persistent Faith
"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1, ESV).

Humility
God’s refusal humbles, reminding us He is not our servant but our Lord.

Peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" (John 14:27, ESV). Trusting God brings peace transcending circumstances.

Counterarguments might suggest God’s silence indicates indifference, but scripture affirms His care (1 Peter 5:7). Unanswered prayers refine faith, not negate it.

Conclusion

Unanswered prayers, though perplexing, are a vital aspect of the Christian journey, drawing believers into deeper reliance on God. Through 2 Peter 1:5-9, we see that diligently cultivating faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love equips us to trust God’s will over our whims. This growth aligns prayers with divine purposes, supported by scriptures like 1 John 5:14 and James 4:3, fostering peace amid uncertainty.

This underscores the call for the Church to nurture mature disciples who pray persistently and trust wholly, strengthening communal faith. As Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, God "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (ESV). Unanswered prayers thus lead not to despair but to hope in Him who knows best, offering peace that surpasses temporary "yes" answers. In this, the Gospel shines—God’s ultimate "yes" in Christ redeems even our unanswered cries.