Unanswered Prayer
When prayer goes unanswered, it can lead to discouragement, unbelief, and the enemy gaining a foothold, but faith and resistance can overcome these challenges.
A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of unanswered prayer, emphasizing that prolonged periods without answers can lead to discouragement and a chilling effect on faith within the congregation. He warns that persistent prayer without expectation can confirm the natural unbelief in our hearts, allowing the enemy to maintain a stronghold over our spiritual lives. Tozer highlights the tragedy of failing in prayer, as it leaves the devil in possession of territory that should belong to God's people, ultimately hindering the work of the Lord. He calls for believers to seek God's power and increase their faith to prevent the enemy from claiming any ground due to doubt and unbelief.
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Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.... --1 Peter 5:8-9
If unanswered prayer continues in a congregation over an extended period of time, the chill of discouragement will settle over the praying people. If we continue to ask and ask and ask, like petulant children, never expecting to get what we ask for but continuing to whine for it, we will become chilled within our beings.
If we continue in our prayers and never get answers, the lack of results will tend to confirm the natural unbelief of our hearts. Remember this: the human heart by nature is filled with unbelief....
Perhaps worst of all is the fact that our failures in prayer leave the enemy in possession of the field. The worst part about the failure of a military drive is not the loss of men or the loss of face but the fact that the enemy is left in possession of the field. In the spiritual sense, this is both a tragedy and a disaster. The devil ought to be on the run, always fighting a rear guard action. Instead, this blasphemous enemy smugly and scornfully holds his position, and the people of God let him have it. No wonder the work of the Lord is greatly retarded. Little wonder the work of God stands still! Faith Beyond Reason, pp. 36-37
"Lord, show me Your power today. Increase my faith. Don't ever let the enemy claim any territory because of my doubt and unbelief. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Unanswered Prayer
- The Enemy's Advantage
- The Call to Faith
- Prayer for Power and Faith
- Resistance to the Enemy
Key Quotes
“If we continue in our prayers and never get answers, the lack of results will tend to confirm the natural unbelief of our hearts.” — A.W. Tozer
“The worst part about the failure of a military drive is not the loss of men or the loss of face but the fact that the enemy is left in possession of the field.” — A.W. Tozer
“The devil ought to be on the run, always fighting a rear guard action.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must resist the enemy in prayer, steadfast in our faith.
- Our natural unbelief can be confirmed by prolonged unanswered prayer, but faith can overcome it.
- We should pray for power and faith to resist the enemy's attacks.