Using the cross references found in the center column of ordinary cross reference Bibles led to only a very few passages about why some prayers are not answered.
In my last example study I started at James 4:2, which tells us “ye have not because ye ask not.”
One of my favorite editions of the King James Version Bible is published by the National Bible Press, Philadelphia. It has one of the very best collections of cross references in its center column. I have a newer edition of the same Bible which is called the “Teachers Reference Edition.” While it does not give any references for James 4:2, it gives several for James 4:3, and several of those are very clear references to the subject of reasons for unanswered prayer.
I highly recommend The Thompson Chain Reference Bible for Bible study.
In the margin next to James 4:3 it gives the topic “2820 Prayer (5).” Turning to the “Chain Index” at the back of this study Bible, topic 2820 is identified specifically as “Causes of Failure in [Prayer],” beneath which is given the listing of reasons: (1) Disobedience, Dt 1:45; (2) Secret sin, Ps 66:18; (3) Indifference, Pr 1:28; (4) Neglect of mercy, Pr 21:13; (5) Despising the law, Pr 28:9; (6) Bloodguiltiness, Is 1:15; (7) Iniquity, Is 59:2; Mic 3:4; (8) Stubbornness, Zec 7:13; (9) Instability, Jas 1:6, 7; (10) Self-indulgence, Jas 4:3.
Clearly, of the sources for real Bible study consulted on this Bible topic so far, The Thompson Chain Reference Bible is more complete than using just the cross references found in the center column of the ordinary reference Bible.
Yet even the Thompson Chain Reference Bible is not quite half as complete as the very best sources for cross reference Bible study, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and its recent sequel, Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible.
At James 4:3, under the key words receive not, the New Treasury contains the notation: “For a summary of Scriptural Reasons for unanswered prayer, see T#1792-1813. The symbol “T#” refers to Topic Number, and turning to the Topic Number Index (at page 1603), the following reasons for unanswered prayer are given under the heading Prayer not heard because of: (1) Asking amiss, James 4:3; (2) Contempt of birthright, Hebrews 12:16; (3) Bloodguiltiness, Isaiah 1:15; (4) Disobedience, Deuteronomy 1:43; (5) Door shut, Luke 13:25; (6) Enemies of his people, 2 Samuel 22:42; (7) Forsaking God, Jeremiah 14:10; (8) Hypocrites, Job 27:8; (9) Idolatry, Ezekiel +14:3; (10) Regarding iniquity in heart, Psalm 66:18; (11) Too late, Luke 16:25; (12) Disregard of the Law, Proverbs 28:9; (13) Love to his people, Deuteronomy 23:5; (14) Oppression, Micah +3:4; (15) Pollution, Malachi 1:7; (16) Disregard of the poor, Proverbs 21:13; (17) Pride, Job 35:12; (18) Self-righteousness, Luke 18:14; (19) Sinfulness, Isaiah 59:2; (20) Vanity, Job 35:13; (21) Wavering, James 1:7; (22) Wickedness, Proverbs +15:29.
I use the “+” sign to indicate “find even more references on the subject here.”
Each of the Bible references about a reason for unanswered prayer contains even more cross references to that aspect of the subject, especially the references marked with the “+” symbol.
In Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible all 22 topic references for the reasons for unanswered prayer are given at the cross references to Psalm +66:18.
Now you know where to find the most complete cross references for serious real Bible study about unanswered prayer, or anything and everything else in the Bible!
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Thank you for visiting my site!
I agree–lots of individuals are looking for this information, and they are all most welcome to visit here and learn as much as they can.
I invite everyone to read what I have posted, make a comment, or ask a question.
Where did you find/get the national bible press teachers edition bible? Just saw a very old one today and wouldn’t mind getting one. Thanks for the help.
Dear Shaun,
It seems I ordered a copy through a local Bible bookstore in Detroit, and they obtained one and mailed it to my home. The new one is not as easy to use as the old one because the leather binding style is different. I am still using my original copy I bought in the early 1970s. It is leather bound, leather lined, and the favorite Bible for me to use to look up Bible references by hand.
I would think the easiest way to find one would be to go on the Internet and do a Google search for it. I haven’t done that myself for that Bible, but I have for others. I’ve ordered several nice quality Bibles through Amazon, but even the best from either Amazon or CBD (Christian Book Distributors) are no match for the quality once available in every local Christian bookstore. Just lately I learned of a bookstore in Virginia that does sell the high quality Bibles, and I expect to get one delivered next week. They are very expensive these days, though accounting for real inflation they probably are no more expensive than they were in the old days.
So Nelson’s cross reference is the best of the best?
Thank you, Mike, for your question!
All three of my published Bible study resources are indeed the best of the best.
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (1992) is my first published venture into cross reference Bible study. In book form it is now out of print and rather pricey, but it is available in the Logos Bible Software in its digital format, and it may be available as an “ap” from the publisher as well even yet.
Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible (2007) is no longer available from the publisher in book form. It has never, to my knowledge, been made available in digital format. The chief differences between the NTSK and NCRG is that the NCRG does not have the notes and symbols or indexes that are in the NTSK. This helps those who want to see only what the Bible itself says by comparing Scripture with Scripture with no explanation or commentary.
My third venture is the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (2016) available only in digital format and only available for the e-Sword Bible software as a $30 premium module. It has many more cross references (now over 900,000) and probably all the former printing errors of previous editions now corrected. It has even more notes and expanded indexes. It really is the ultimate source for carefully curated cross references to every verse in the Bible.
Hi,
I’m wanting to purchase your recommended resource, Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible (2007). However, I’m confused because the author is Jerome Smith not Jerry Smith. Is this the correct resource?
Thank you for your time and effort regarding this matter.
God Bless,
Tim
Dear Tim,
I am Jerome Smith, even though on this site and often elsewhere I am referred to as “Jerry.”
Thank you for your interest in my book, Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. It has been out of print for about seven years. If you have found a source where you can purchase it, good for you.
Earlier this year I spent almost a month updating the files for my original book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I was able to enter corrections for printing errors in the references and also make improvements to the indexes. The publisher is currently preparing to produce a new edition in printed book format. I understand it features a new forward by Dr. John MacArthur.
I have also prepared a more complete cross reference Bible study resource in digital format, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. It is available exclusively for the eSword Bible software and can be purchased as a premium module for about $30 from within that free program by clicking on the “download” button at the very top of the screen, then selecting “commentaries,” then scrolling down to the bottom of that listing; my resource is the fifth title up from the bottom.
The e-Sword Bible software is available for many different platforms and devices from http://www.e-Sword.net and I highly recommend it even for those who already have Bible programs in other software.
Let me know if you ever have any further questions.