There is extensive research involving the miraculous benefits of faithful prayer. There are too many testimonies to count concerning the supernatural power of prayer, and yet, there are too many that say their prayers fell unanswered. This does happen often, but for good reason. Many times, it is due to a lack of faith in believing they can be healed and made whole supernaturally. However, I personally believe the main reason involves the following: we ignore our Creator, but when we incur a serious problem in need of supernatural assistance, we cry out for help.
The problem we encounter is we have ignored God the other thousands of days of our existence. This does not mean God gets even with us when we are in steep trouble. It simply means God cannot be mocked. He gives us free will and there is usually a price to pay for abusing our free will. However, if we seek God with a pure, sincere heart, He will forgive and restore us.
There are many occasions when prayer is not answered because we have unforgiveness in our hearts. Unforgiveness and bitterness are always prayer inhibitors. God is love and promises to forgive. Man has trouble forgiving and looks at love much differently than God does. Forgiveness and love when combined with sincere prayer and faith opens the pathways to healing and restoration.
God heals in many ways. Sometimes it is supernaturally derived and other times He will use people to accomplish the healings. This is known as faith combined with works. The works are usually lifestyle changes, dietary changes, spiritual changes, emotional changes, etc. God honors and blesses change. He is multi-faceted in His ways of healing. For example, let’s say someone is consuming a quart of whiskey a day and they eventually need liver restoration or they will die. Do we really believe God will heal them without that person turning from this destructive habit? The very same thing applies to someone smoking several packs of cigarettes a day, having caused themselves lung cancer. This even applies to overeating an improper diet and never exercising.
Please keep in mind that we cannot destroy our temple maliciously and expect an insincere prayer to be our saving grace. Try to administer sincere prayer with faith and works and watch how much more effective it shall be. God loves a cheerful giver and a devoted prayer warrior. The Lord loves to heal and bless His children. So, get back up to the plate with a whole new approach.