HOW TO PRAY
🌿 Why God May Not Hear Our Prayers (And How to Pray with a Right Heart)
Have you ever prayed during a moment of deep anxiety only to feel like your words went nowhere? Like God was silent, or maybe even distant? It can leave you wondering, “Is He listening to me at all?”
The truth is, Scripture tells us that sometimes our prayers are hindered not because God doesn’t care, but because He cares so deeply about the condition of our hearts. Prayer isn’t just about what we ask for; it’s about being in the right relationship with Him.
This month, as we step into a season of transition, it’s the perfect time to examine our hearts and reset our walk with God. Let’s talk about why it’s vital to approach Him with humility, faith, and obedience so we can pray with confidence.
✨ Before you keep reading, grab my free Read • Pray • Reflect printable bundle. It will help you journal through Scripture, align your heart with God, and step into prayer with confidence. [Link to bundle]
🙏 WHY: God Cares About the Heart Behind Prayer
God’s Word makes it clear He doesn’t just listen to any prayer. He listens to the prayers of the righteous, the humble, the ones who come to Him in faith and truth.
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” – Psalm 66:18
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God… so that He will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
When we cling to sin, disobedience, or selfish motives, it creates a barrier. God isn’t a vending machine for our requests He is a holy Father who desires our full surrender.
This is why before we run to Him in anxiety, we must ask: Am I right with God?
📖 HOW: Steps to Be Right With God Before Prayer
Here are four heart checks to make before you pray:
Confess Sin
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” – 1 John 1:9
Take a moment to ask God to reveal anything that needs to be laid down.
Check Motives
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” – James 4:3
Am I asking for my will… or God’s will?
Choose Obedience
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46
Prayer flows from a life that desires to obey God, not resist Him.
Pray With Faith
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” – Hebrews 11:6
Trust that He hears you, even if His answer is “not yet.”
🌸 TOOLS: Scripture & Resources for Your Prayer Life
When your heart feels scattered, Scripture is the anchor that realigns your prayers with God’s truth. Here are a few verses to pray as you prepare your heart:
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” – Proverbs 15:29
💡 Use these journal pages to write above verses, confess what’s on your heart, and shift into prayer with focus.
🎥 Want more encouragement? Visit my YouTube channel for short encouragement videos that will help you calm anxious thoughts and realign your heart with God before prayer.
🌸 Calming Tip of the Day
Calming Tip of the Day:
Before you pray, write down three things you know to be true about God (for example: God is faithful, God is with me, God forgives me). Speaking truth prepares your heart to pray with confidence instead of fear.
Related Posts to Help You Stay Consistent
💕 ENCOURAGEMENT: God Wants to Hear You
Sister, if you’ve been praying and wondering why you don’t feel heard, don’t give up. God is not rejecting you; He is inviting you closer. Prayer isn’t about getting everything we want it’s about becoming aligned with the One who already knows what we need.
When you confess, surrender, and approach Him in faith, your heart is in the right place for prayer. And even in the silence, you can rest in His presence, knowing He is faithful.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6–7
Take this season of transition as your chance to reset your prayer life. He hears you. He loves you. And His timing is perfect.
✨ Don’t forget to grab your Read • Pray • Reflect bundle and join me on YouTube for daily encouragement as we walk this journey together.
