Job 30:20

I cry unto Thee, and Thou dost not hear me.

Unanswered prayer

1. There is no state so low but a godly man may have a freedom with God in prayer. Though a poor soul be in the mire, though he be but dust and ashes, yet he hath access to the throne of grace.

2. It is our duty to pray most, and usually we pray best, when it is worst with us; when we are nigh the mire and dust, prayer is not only most seasonable, but most pure.

3. Affliction provokes a soul to pray to the utmost, to pray not only in sincerity, but with fervency, not only to pray with faith, but with a holy passion, or passionately.

4. When prayer is sent out with a cry to God in affliction, it is a wonder if it be not presently heard.

5. Not to be heard in a day of trouble and affliction is more troublesome to a gracious heart than all his afflictions. Job thought he was not heard, because he had not present deliverance; and in that sense, indeed, he was not heard. And thus many of the saints may pray and not be heard; that is, they may pray, and not have present deliverance. How may we know that we are heard at any time?

(1) By the quietness of our spirits.

(2) Though we receive not the mercy presently, yet if we receive fresh strength to bear the want of it, that is an answer.

(3) We are answered when, though the evil be not removed, yet we have faith and patience to wait and tarry the Lord’s leisure for the removal of it.

(4) He is answered in prayer that is more heavenly, or more in heaven after prayer. He that is edified in his holy faith, hath certainly prayed in the Holy Ghost, and, sure enough, every such prayer is heard. Godly men are always heard of God, yet they often think that they are not heard. (Joseph Caryl.)