1. Living in Sin Without Repentance
Isaiah 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."
If someone knowingly lives in sin and refuses to turn back to God, their prayers may be ignored.
2. Reject God's Law and Pray Anyway
Proverbs 28:9 – "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
If someone ignores God’s instructions, their prayers are not accepted.
3. Hypocrisy or False Worship
Matthew 15:8-9 – "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
If prayer is just empty words without a heart truly seeking God, He does not respond.
4. Unforgiveness Toward Others
Mark 11:25 – "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
If someone refuses to forgive others, their prayers may be blocked.
5. Selfish or Wrong Motives
James 4:3 – "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Prayers that come from selfish desires rather than God's will are not heard.
6. Pride and Arrogance
Luke 18:10-14 – "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are... I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."
God listens to those who approach Him with humility, not self-righteousness.
7. Oppressing the Poor or Others
Proverbs 21:13 – "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
If someone refuses to help others, God may not listen when they cry out for help.
If someone wants God not to hear their prayers, they only need to:
❌ Live in sin without repentance
❌ Reject His law
❌ Pray with hypocrisy
❌ Hold unforgiveness
❌ Ask with selfish motives
❌ Be filled with pride
❌ Ignore the needs of others
But thankfully, God is always willing to hear those who humble themselves and turn back to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).