Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Unanswered Prayer?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Unanswered Prayer in the Bible
What does the Bible say about unanswered prayer? Browse 14 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Unanswered Prayer
- 1
- 2Proverbs 28:9
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
KJV - 3Isaiah 59:2
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide”
KJV - 4Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
KJV - 5
- 6Mark 11:24
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
KJV - 7John 9:31
“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
KJV - 8John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
KJV - 9Philippians 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
KJV - 10James 1:6
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Unanswered Prayer? (3 Verses)
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Unanswered Prayer? (8 Verses)
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. lusts: or, pleasures”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Unanswered Prayer
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about unanswered prayer. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about unanswered prayer and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about unanswered prayer is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on unanswered prayer needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about unanswered prayer with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about unanswered prayer, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Unanswered Prayer?
You have studied 11 verses about unanswered prayer. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.