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Reasons for Unanswered Prayer: Disharmony at Home

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with [them] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as [being] heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7 NKJV).

In this passage, we see another reason why prayers are sometimes left unanswered. Husbands must maintain a proper relationship with their wives if they wish to be heard.

Husbands are to understand their wives. This requires the husband to honor his wife as the weaker vessel. This weakness lies primary in the created order, Eve was taken from Adam to be a help meet for him.

Women have often been used as mere objects to satisfy man’s passions especially by the world. Many have been subjected to slavery instead of being view as joint heirs of the grace of life.

Therefore, to live with your wife in an understanding way would logically require you to treat your wife with at least the same respect you would give any other brother in the Lord. Beyond that, you are to understand her God-given role in marriage, and not abuse your position. Also, beyond even that, you must seek to understand all the emotions and needs of your wife in all things, but particularly as they relate to her submission to you.

Submission is not an easy thing. Think about the difficulty you have husband when you must submit to an unjust authority. Have you ever had a boss that treated you with little respect and demanded absolute perfection from you? How did that work for you?

Think about the emotions that welled up in you. Is it any different for your wife when you are overbearing and unforgiving? You would expect me to say no here, but it is different. She can’t quit and look for another job; at least not and honor the Lord. Yes, she can sin by hating you and leaving you, but the damage cause from that sin is even more devastating. And, would you want to be the one who drove her to such lengths?

Why should God show you mercy when you have no mercy for your wife? If you treated anyone else so badly, you would be grieved by your wickedness, but you treat her worst and see it as a little thing.

Learn to understand her, and honor her or your prayers will not be answered.

It could be that you have already failed in this area and are seeing the consequences. Perhaps your marriage is suffering now because of your sinful indifference or indulgent abuses.

Do not reason, “God will not hear me now.” He is waiting to hear your prayer of confession and repentance. He would love to heal your marriage. Both husband and wife must repent, but even if your spouse refuses to turn, you may find forgiveness and peace.

Don’t be fooled by legal repentance. This is repentance that only seeks to alleviate the pain. Hell will be full of those who prayed a sinner’s prayer to avoid the pit, but continue to love their sin.

True repentance sees the sin for what it is, and agrees with God that it is to be forsaken. It understands the guilt and punishment that it deserves. Then that understanding drives the believer to turn from it because it is right to do so. Even if the believer’s desires are not met, he will not leave the path of righteousness for he hungers and thirsts to be holy.

Time is not on your side. Humble yourself today before any more damage is done.