Why Doesn’t Prayer Work? Understanding Unanswered Prayers

Why doesn’t prayer work the way we want? You pray for healing, peace, or even a new job…and instead of a clear answer, it feels like God left you on “read.” If you’ve ever wondered why God doesn’t answer prayers, you’re not alone.

In this episode of Together for Good, Pastor Nate explores the purpose of prayer from a Lutheran perspective, with a little help from three German theologians (Schleiermacher, Tillich, and Martin Luther). Think of it as a crash course in “Prayer for Real Life,” with fewer halos and more honesty.

✨ What you’ll hear:

Why prayer isn’t a vending machine (sorry, no button for instant miracles).

How Christian theology explains unanswered prayers.

Why even Jesus prayed for something and didn’t get it.

What prayer is really about: connection, trust, and God’s presence in suffering.

Whether you’re searching for “why doesn’t God answer my prayers,” “Christian teaching on unanswered prayers,” or just curious about how prayer actually works, this conversation is for you.

👉 Stick around to rethink prayer, not as a cosmic wish list, but as a way to root yourself in God’s promises, even when nothing changes.

Download the podcast here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/together-4-good-conversations-on-faith-family-and/id1529196060

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA

Follow Bethany Lutheran Church on social media for all the best moments from the show: https://linktr.ee/bethanydenver