In the biblical narrative, the concept of prayer is central to the relationship between God and His people. However, Scripture indicates that God does not answer the prayers of everyone indiscriminately. Specifically, those who are enemies of the saints—God's chosen people—find their prayers hindered or denied. This principle is rooted in the character of God as just and protective of His people.

Biblical Foundation

1. God's Justice and Protection: The Bible consistently portrays God as a protector of His people, often intervening on their behalf against their enemies. In Psalm 34:15-16 , it is written, "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off all memory of them from the earth." This passage highlights the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, with God actively opposing those who do evil, including those who oppose His people.

2. The Fate of the Wicked: Proverbs 15:29 states, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." This verse underscores the separation between God and those who are wicked, implying that their prayers are not heard. The wicked, often characterized as enemies of the saints, are distanced from God, and their petitions go unanswered.

3. Examples from Scripture: Throughout the Bible, there are instances where the enemies of God's people find their plans thwarted and their prayers unanswered. In the account of the Exodus, Pharaoh's resistance to God's command through Moses resulted in plagues and judgment, despite any appeals he might have made. Similarly, in the book of Esther, Haman's plot against the Jews was overturned, and his downfall was assured, illustrating that God does not favor the prayers or plans of those who oppose His people.

4. New Testament Insights: The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the importance of aligning with God's will. In 1 Peter 3:12 , it is written, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." This passage reaffirms the idea that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous, while those who do evil, including enemies of the saints, are opposed by God.

Theological Implications

The denial of answers to prayer for the enemies of the saints is a reflection of God's holiness and justice. It serves as a warning to those who oppose God's people and a reassurance to the faithful that God is attentive to their needs and struggles. This principle encourages believers to trust in God's protection and justice, knowing that He will not allow the wicked to prevail against His people without consequence.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding that God denies the prayers of their enemies can be a source of comfort and strength. It reinforces the call to live righteously and to trust in God's sovereign plan. It also serves as a reminder to pray for one's enemies, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44 , "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," with the hope that they might turn from their ways and seek reconciliation with God.Psalm 18:40,41
You have also given me the necks of my enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... significance in the great fact that God hears and answers prayer. ... The fact that God
denied his request does not ... will see how great a place prayer occupied in ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/ii praying saints of the.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When the Arians, who denied the divinity of Christ ... up so many prayers without receiving
answers?" The apostle ... diligently seek him." (2.) The prayer of faith ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... man, one that feareth God." And Satan answers on this ... of the Word of God and prayer,
that Christians ... Christians became timid and at first denied Christ from ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Answers. ... the circumstance, that even the wishes of unbelievers are not denied; and,
secondly ... to stimulate his true worshippers to more urgent prayer, when they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... wounds, and by virtue of his bloody sufferings answers all the ... to come for pardon,
and that we shall be denied? ... indeed come in our own name in prayer it were ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... of perfection, a new doctrine appeared, which denied not only ... to them, and the
expectation of their answers to prayer. ... is taught and is read as a prayer in the ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Jerome answers the second, third, and fourth propositions of Jovinianus ... through fear
of a maid-servant denied Him ... The case is different if this prayer belongs to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... As we read the answers in this popular treatise, we ... They denied, in a word, that
the Holy Communion had ... therefore, when the believer knelt in prayer, he must ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... we go to many teachers, or consider many answers to this ... of impatient petitioners,
as in mercy He denied it to ... which we must now thirst for in prayer so long ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

John i. 19
... or reproach them with it, but answers them with ... was foretold by Moses?" and therefore
he denied not that ... soul, whether it find almsgiving, or prayer, or fasting ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xvi john i 19.htm

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Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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