Does God close his ears to our misguided requests? (1 John 5:14)
1 John 5:14
ESV - 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
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Asked November 19 2020
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that the Bible indicates that there are indeed circumstances when God would refuse to hear the prayer even of a professed believer, as indicated by verses in Scripture that are addressed to believers, as follows: 1) when the individual is deliberately holding on to unconfessed sin, rather than confessing it and repenting of it (Isaiah 1:15; Proverbs 28:9); 2) when the individual is asking from purely selfish motives, with no consideration or intent of enhancing his or her service to God (James 4:3); 3) when the individual knows (or should know) even before praying (based on God's revealed word in the Bible) that what is being requested is not in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14); 4) when the individual does not ask in faith, as indicated by attitudes, words, or actions that reveal doubt about whether the request will be granted (for example, continuing to worry and/or make comments or take actions regarding the situation that reveal a lack of faith)(Mark 11:24).
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