II. Another object of self-examination may be, to ascertain the reason why the Lord does not answer our prayers. This reason may generally be found in ourselves.  I know of but two exceptions.  One is, when the thing we ask is not agreeable to the will of God.  The other is, when the Lord delays to answer our prayers for the trial of our faith.  The obstacles which exist in ourselves, to prevent him from granting our requests, are generally some of the following:—­1.  We may be living in the practice of some sin, or the neglect of some duty.  “If I regard iniquity in my heart,” says the Psalmist, “the Lord will not hear me.”  “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”  We may weep day and night, on our knees, before God, all our lives; yet if we are living in the habitual neglect of duty, or if any sin cleaves to us, for which we have not exercised repentance, and faith in the atoning blood of Christ, he will not hear our prayers. 2.  We may not be sufficiently humble before God.  “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off;” “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”  “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”  Hence, if our hearts are proud, and we refuse to humble ourselves deeply before God, he will not answer our prayers. 3.  We may not desire the things we ask, that God may be glorified, but that it may minister to our own gratification.  “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”  When we ask with such motives, we have no right to expect that God will hear our prayers. 4.  We may not be asking in faith.  “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”  “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” 5.  We may be exercising an unforgiving-temper; and, if so, the Lord has declared that he will not hear our prayers.  Mark 11:25, 26.  Mat. 18:35.

When, therefore, you have been for some time praying for any particular object without receiving an answer, carefully examine yourself, with reference to these points; and wherein you find yourself deficient, endeavor, in the strength of Christ, immediately to reform.  If your circumstances will permit, set apart a day of fasting and prayer for this object.  And, if the answer is still delayed, repeat the examination, until you are certain that you have complied with all the conditions of the promises.