Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 If I had sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

Commentary: When there is unanswered prayer in your life, examine your life for unconfessed sin. Although our sins have been forgiven through the work of the Cross, this verse tells us that we should be repentant before seeking His counsel.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Commentary: God's purpose may not be our purpose. While we strive for comfort in this world, God's plan is to bring us into His world of time-less comfort. His response to our prayers may well be for the purpose of bringing us face-to-face with the necessity for repentance.