The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 13 September 2026 – When Prayers Are No Longer Answered
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TOPIC – When Prayers Are No Longer Answered
READ: Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
THE MESSAGE:
Our reading today shows a situation where prayers seemingly go unanswered as shown in two contrasting lives – one marked by wealth and indifference (the rich man), and another by suffering and the yearning for relief (Lazarus). While Lazarus made his prayers on earth while alive, the rich man made his only when he was dead. Lazarus’ prayer (desire) was in line with the pattern taught by Christ. His desire was that the Lord would provide him his daily bread (Matthew 6:9-13). It appeared Lazarus’ prayer was not answered but at the end, he saw that God was working out His purposes for him. In contrast, the rich man apparently made no prayers while on earth because he lacked nothing except that he had no connection with God. His only prayers were after death, and the timing and content of his prayers were wrong. He was praying about salvation and relief from hell in eternity, a matter he should have settled earlier. He received an instant response, yet it was an unfavourable answer.
Beloved, we must remember that effective prayer is built first on our relationship with God, as “our Father.” Second, it is only in time (our earthly life) that we need to pray and settle the issues of salvation and eternity. The best liturgical prayers at a funeral, cannot change the destiny of the deceased. All prayers after death are like the prayers of the rich man. They fail in content and in time.
PRAYER: Lord, while I yet live, help me to pray; and may I pray according to Your will.
