This is Why Some Prayers Are Not Being Answered – The Missing Step

January 14, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

Our world is very, and I know that one thing we all need more of is time. Each and every moment of our time available seems to already be filled with tasks and responsibilities. Time to us is priceless.

To begin today’s writing, I’d like to share an experience that I recently had. Two people very close to me were having a conversation on the phone with each other, and had the setting on speaker, so that I could hear the entire conversation.

These two people, who I will not identify, (because I do not want to sleep on the couch tonight) have the “gift of gab.” They can BOTH talk nonstop…talking while exhaling, and while inhaling as well. =) You probably know someone similar and can identify with what I am describing.

As I listened, I was in disbelief… Both of them were talking at the same time…How was this a conversation? They were both talking but nobody was listening. When the conversation ended, the person with me said that she had had a great conversation. =O

I thought about that for quite some time. How could a person feel that they had a great conversation when all they were doing is talking? Then the answer came. They felt that it was a great conversation because they were able to share everything that was on their mind. That felt good to them, and was fulfilling.

If I would have asked the question, “How is she doing? What’s going on in their life?” the answer would not have been, “I had a great conversation,” it would have been a simple…”I don’t know.”

This example is such a great learning tool when it comes to our prayers. For the MOST part, (and this certainly might not include you), here are our prayers:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of this, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. I have a list of things that I need resolved, can you help me with these? Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. I send you my love, Amen.

We can even say, “I had a great prayer today that lasted 1 hour. I put my very soul into each and every word,” which is probably 100% correct…But did you take any time to LISTEN to what God had to say to you? What is your listening process when it comes to prayer?

In making an assumption, I would say that you might feel that God will talk to you when He is ready…on His time schedule. I’ll just wait until I feel His prompting. This is how I listen.

Let’s continue examining this line of questioning. When do you hear God talking to you? I know that most of you reading this are very spiritual, and communicate with God. So when do you hear Him?

Again, let me assume some answers here. “In the Shower” I’m certain is on the list. “When I’m in the car without the radio on, and it’s just me and my thoughts.” I feel very safe is stating that the most frequent times that we hear God is when we are in solitude, free from any noise or distraction, and are “LISTENING.”

This is when God talks to us!

Each day, I find a place of seclusion. It’s quiet, no interruptions, no noise, no distractions…Just me and God. I have done most of the talking throughout the day through my prayers, but this was His time not to talk to me. My job is to listen, not talk.

In my listening, I think about the things that I have been studying for the day, and I listen for thoughts to come to my mind regarding how I might solve a problem that I have asked God for His guidance on. I listen to my thoughts…and then those thoughts continue to expand into new thoughts and clarification. God is now speaking to me, for I AM LISTENING.

How does this all happen…is it 1 hour of prayer then 1 hour of listening? You know that’s not how it works. I listen until I receive an answer. That answer might not come the same day as the prayer, but if it is not yet received, I will listen for that answer again tomorrow, and the next day if needed.

My point is, that our communication with God is enhanced when we take the time to listen. And I firmly believe that we should be actively listening to Him every day. You might not feel this way, but there is so much going on in my life that I am sincerely seeking His guidance each and every day. I already know my “problems,” but I am requesting His answers, and I can only receive them when I am listening.

Let’s look to the scriptures for more insight about this concept:

1. God’s Promise to Hear

• Psalm 66:17–19 – “I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”
  • Insight: God listens carefully to our prayers, but a heart aligned with Him is crucial. Part of listening is preparing our hearts to receive His guidance.

2. Be Still and Listen

• Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
  • Insight: Silence before God is essential. Prayer is two-way—after speaking, we also must quiet ourselves to hear His direction.

3. God Speaks in the Heart

• 1 Kings 19:11–12 – “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains…and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
  • Insight: God often speaks softly, not through loud or dramatic means. Listening prayer requires patience and attention to His subtle guidance.

4. Pray with a Listening Heart

• Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
  • Insight: God promises answers, but receiving them often requires waiting and listening, not just talking.

5. Discernment in Prayer

• James 1:19 – “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
  • Insight: Effective prayer involves listening—both to God and to the Spirit within us. Speaking too much without listening may hinder the understanding He wants to give.

Prayer is not one-sided. While we bring our requests and praises to God, He wants us to also listen—through quiet meditation, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and attentiveness to His Word. Listening allows God to guide, comfort, and correct us according to His will.

Will you take some of your precious time in your day to quietly listen to God? If so, you will see some amazing results, for this I can promise.