Brass Heavens: Reasons for Unanswered Prayer

by Paul Tautges

Does it ever seem like God is not listening? Scripture offers six clear reasons why your prayers may go unanswered. Learn what they are, and what you can do about it.

Sometimes we’re tempted to wonder if God can hear us. After months or even years of praying over a particular person or situation, we look for evidence that God is getting our message or even paying attention, and we can't find much. Why is that? Why do the heavens sometimes seem as hard and reflective as brass? Doesn’t God love us and care for us? Isn’t he all-powerful? What’s going on?

In Brass Heavens author, pastor, and biblical counselor Paul Tautges grounds prayer in the character of our Triune God whose very nature is to share generously his good gifts with his children. Upon that foundation, he then explores six reasons why at times God appears to go silent. As we examine these causes of unanswered prayer, we discover the biblical means by which we may open God’s ears to our voice once again.

God has a good and holy purpose for periods of silence. He wants to test our faith that we might see for ourselves just how weak and dependent we are on him for all good things. His goal is nothing less than to heighten our spiritual sensitivities in order to draw us into more intimate fellowship with him and more faithful obedience to him.

Genres: Prayer, Christian

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Paul Tautges has been in gospel ministry for over 30 years and serves as one of the pastors of Cornerstone Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He has written or edited over 60 books, including A Small Book for the Hurting Heart, Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace, Counseling One Another, and When Disability Hits Home. Paul has been married to Karen since 1986 and, together, they enjoy their ten children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and a growing tribe of grandchildren. He also serves as editor for the popular LifeLine mini-book series from Shepherd Press, and blogs regularly at www.counselingoneanother.com.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scripturally sound, written like something from the Puritan era, but with an easy and readable style. It first describes the triune God that we pray to, and then lists all the reasons the BIble gives for why God seems silent or uninterested in our prayers. This includes a careful look at many of the sins that hinder our prayers ("If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear"). The chapter on Phariseeism was especially ouch-ful, on top of all the previous chapters!

Finally, there is a chapter on unanswered prayer as a means of sanctification in itself. Taking the progression of our thoughts to their logical conclusion, the author asks what this world would really be like if everyone got everything they asked God for, no matter how good that thing is. It would be a Garden-of-Eden world, and we would have no sin and no need to be sanctified. He describes a particular moth that absolutely must struggle with great pains as it gets out of its cocoon, or its wings will never have blood pumped through them enough to allow him to fly. When the cocoon is snipped open by someone trying to be helpful, the moth ends up with shriveled wings that cannot fly, for the rest of his life.

How often do we pray that God will snip away the cocoon that we desire to be freed of, not realizing that we will never develop into a fully-functioning Christian without the struggle?

A quote from this chapter:
"You and I are inclined by our sin nature to see trials as a troublesome departure from the plan. In truth, the trial is the plan—God's plan, not ours. The particular trial in which we find ourselves at any given time is in fact necessary to the particular outcome God is directing us toward in that season."

[lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tautges lists some biblical reasons for unanswered prayer and gives examples from the Bible. The book consisted of sound doctrine. This was convicting and exposed some sins of my own that I had to address and confess from. It's part of our sanctification and is necessary even though the process may be painful. Gave me insight on why the Lord doesn't answer at times or He waits to answer.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title indicates Brass Heavens describe unanswered prayers. God's people in the Old Testament would cry out to God and wondered if the heavens were made of brass, keeping the prayers of God's people away. Does God not hear us? We are people that need to be heard and understood. I think it is important and is brought up very nicely in this study, that because God loves us well, he does not answer prayer the way we think it should go and sometimes He is silent on matters that cause us to wait. "Wait on the Lord and know that He is good." He covers how sin can keep prayers from being answered, and the why. Is this in God's word to discourage us, no but to encourage us in his nature. Each chapter ends with a prayer that is heartfelt and is geared towards the trinity. This small book is one that you should keep handy as you go through daily trials, victories and your walk with the Lord. One of the things I gleamed from this study is that unanswered prayer probably tells me more about who God is then answered prayer.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with a great question: Gods reasons for unanswered prayer. 8 short chapters that would work very well for a small group bible study or sunday school class. The book examines several reasons why our prayers may go unanswered. In fact the author identifies six reasons why we might not receive an answer to our prayers. Included in this list is our sin, which really does, directly affect our prayer life. The author’s analysis of the reasons for unanswered prayer is sound, thoughtful and, most importantly, hopeful.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tautges’ book on prayer approaches the issue from a unique perspective, asking the question, “Why does God often refuse to answer our prayers.” The answers presented are biblical and thought provoking. The opening chapter on the Trinity frames the issue of prayer within the doctrine of God on the front end, and the final chapter on God testing our faith was my favorite of the book.

[Rhonda Hensarling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking, convicting, and also encouragement to keep praying, even when it may feel like God isn’t listening or answering. Full of biblical truth. He gives solid reasons for examining our own hearts for unconfessed sin or lack of faith and trust in God’s good plan.

[John Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend everyone to read this book. What made this book so valuable and helpful to me is his understanding and description of the human heart and explanations of biblical truths.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Christians are promised that God hears every prayer, He does not always give obvious answers. Tautges examines Scripture to discover the reasons why prayer can go unanswered, taking time to detail what can be done about such issues. Far from seeing God as a divine vending machine catering to our requests, Tautges follows Scripture in magnifying a God who loves His children and does what is best for them, even if it requires His silence.