Getting Prayers Answered
Why do some people get their prayers answered–and I don’t? Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever wished that you could have a closer touch with God?
When you have a problem, you may talk with some special Christian about it. “Pray for me,” you ask. If anyone can get an answer from God, you figure that person can.
But there’s no reason why all Christians can’t have the power with God that the Scriptures promise. For the Lord certainly loves every one of His children for whom He paid the supreme sacrifice. If you are His child through faith in Christ, that includes you.
What conditions does God’s Word set down for answered prayer? Let’s look at them.
- Repentance is necessary. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Obviously sin keeps prayers from getting answered. But did you know that bitterness, resentment, bad temper, anger, and harsh words can come between us and God? The Bible says such things grieve the Holy Spirit. How can we make things right? First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When we are cleansed, we can look for answered prayers.
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- Righteousness is necessary. James 5:16-b says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Following this statement, God gave us an example of Elijah, whose prayer was answered. Elijah prayed it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t rain for over three years! When he prayed for rain, down it came.Righteousness refers to a daily, steady walk with the Lord. We try not to let anything come between us and Him. God had first place in Elijah’s heart, as He probably does in the hearts of those we ask for prayer. In their lives we see Christ; when others see Him in us, they’ll be asking us for prayer.
- Forgiveness is necessary. Jesus said that when we pray, if we hold anything against anyone, we are to forgive that person; then God can forgive our trespasses (Mark 11:25).Sherry was sorry for things she had done wrong, so she asked the Lord to forgive her. But when she finished praying, guess what Sherry still held in her heart? Bitterness, anger, hostility…and unforgiveness toward a relative who had hurt her. Then she wondered why she still didn’t feel right with God!Hard to forgive some people for the way they have hurt us? Sure it is–for us! But I have found it possible to do so by holding such destructive, self-centered feelings up to my Lord and saying, “Lord, take these hurtful things. I don’t want them any more. Cleanse me. I just want your peace, joy, and love. I forgive everybody! “When I feel God’s peace, I know I can pray.
- Obedience is necessary. We read in First John 3:22, “…And [we] receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” Obedience is the trademark of a righteous person. And obedience entails more than just conforming to a nice little set of cut-and-dried rules. It is part of being turned into the Holy Spirit. That’s where doing “those things that are pleasing in his sight” comes in.God’s two great commandments call for love, and they cover every relationship and every circumstance: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind….Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).God’s command also lie in principles His Word sets forth, such as “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).Obedience to God isn’t hard when we truly love Him and others.
- Sincerity is necessary. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
- Agreement is helpful. Jesus said, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
- Persistence is helpful. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all saints.
- Faith is necessary. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”When I’m praying, I often claim the promise that Jesus gave His followers: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
Do you really believe God can work in the lives of unsaved and backslidden loved one’s life in answer to your prayers? Do you believe God can help you work out your problems, help you get a job, pays the bills, get along with cantankerous relatives, co-workers, or neighbors?
Then stand back and watch God work as you pray! It will thrill you!
And here’s a great promise you might like to memorize: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, and he will do this” (Psalm 37:4-5).
Hey I love praying because I derive strength in His presence at the hour of prayer. Many times I find myself praying for others, in fact most times! We should look at prayer as a privilege to related with the greatest of all- God. He always answers our prayers in any of there ways- YES, NO OR WAIT. When He says YES it could mean that is perfectly my will for it now. When He says NO it could as well mean. I have a better plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11), this is not good enough for you. Perhaps when He says WAIT, then you can bet on His timing! But He answers when we call… Therefore keep praying! Much love, Solomon, Nigeria.
dear piwo– prayer–father God i pray for this person you will lead this person to a good job that this person can be fulfilled and give you glory in it and also lead this person to a good man she can marry and be man that you lead this person to a person of your choosing i pray all of this in JESUS name amen, i am praying for you love sharon
Dear God,
i am so gratefull to know you to woship you and to be your follower, i have been in an abusive relationship for 8 years and had a baby, Father forgive my sins for i repent from them,forgive me and my son Jesus, right now give me a peace of mind, cleanse me from sin, from hatred from unforgiveness, give me a new life, i forgive my baby father, my parents and myself, uplift me and provide all my needs, give me a better job and a man that will love me and my son, give me that wedding i have always dreamt of, i believe it is done in Jesus name. This month Febreuary 2012, ill get a new job, ill meet my husband and ill find favour in yur kingdom Amen
Sorry Debbie, I am not familiar with that verse. Do you think it comes from the Bible or is it a quote from someone?
does anyone know anything about this verse
humble me grately sterength me steadily inspire me constantly ease my way so I’m recieving the blessing with grace it hads meaning to my life
Jake I think you need to remember that you have to take all of scripture in light of other scripture. The author says it well in the article above in saying that ‘Righteousness refers to a daily, steady walk with the Lord. We try not to let anything come between us and Him.’
You are right that none of us is righteous enough or Holy enough, but remember that God says that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and at that point He sees us as righteous in Christ.(I John 1:9) It is only as I live in daily communion with Him by the power of His Spirit that I have any hope of living a righteous life before Him.
Based on the conditions God has set for prayer, it is not possible for prayers to be answered. No one is Righteous enough, no one is Holy enough, no one is Obedient enough, no ones Faith never waivers. I want the Lord to answer my prayers, but I cannot meet the conditions. It’s a no-win scenario.
dear pala-God i pray for pala right now for strenght and help her in her life, give her a peace that passes all understanding. i pray for other christians to come along her path. may i encourage you for counselling for you both if possible to maybe save this marriage. i pray all of this in JESUS name amen.
Dear Pala,
Thanks for being open that u want to leave your Husband,I would like to advise you that never let the davil win you stand still fight for your marriage and God is able, The bible says “what ever is impossible to man is possible to God.
dear god, please forgive me and help me to take the fear out of my heart. Give me courage to succeed in life. you know that i wish to leave my husband because of the pain he has given me. i forgive him and wish him every success. please help me to become talented in my new career so that i will have enough abundance to buy a house and support myself. i want peace and love in my life. Hold my hand as i an lost and guide me so i can have a fulfilling life with no more tears. amen
i do get my prayers answered and i believe God is Good all the time. All the time God is good. God provides all the time, believe and you will receive. i always believe i could have money when i ask for help, help comes in form of loan or people who loans me money for my need for my family who is always in need because we live in a very poor environment. i am thankful for this belief : that God always provide what we need. thank you Lord
Yes may God help you Bertha with those jobs and may there be at least one that opens. You are doing well…Keep it up!
Thank you for your request. Keep praying He is faithful to His word and he always keeps His promises.
God bless you!
I want to thank you Dear God for helping me pass my nursing exam. It is such a great sense of relief knowing that I came through for my kuds with your help. Now all I need is to find a job so I can provide for my kuds. This has been such a long journey for me and I pray and hope that I will soon find a job. I’ve applied at 2 jobs where I feel hopeful that I will get hired. I pray to you that it turns out for for the well being of my family. Thank You Lord. Amen.
Hello Prosper,
I found the link for you: http://truthmedia.com/training/mentoring/
If you are interested that is…
Hello Prosper,
You can become a volunteer mentor with TruthMedia by clicking on the link “volunteer” on top of this page. They need volunteers right now and it is a part-time or it can become a full-ministry. Look into it you never know.
Dear brothers & sisters in Jesus, I would like to ask for your help on how to get my prayer answered.
I have been making a follow up on books and some testmony of answered prayer but i have got mine answered.
My prayer is this ( I want to here exactly God telling me if he have called me on Full or party time ministry)
Thanks for your advice and spiritual guidence
Heavenly Father I humbly come to you requesting peace of mind in knowing that I passed my nursing exam. Allow for this opportunity to happen for me, as my family is greatly depending on it. I have faith in you and I’m hopeful that it will all turn out. Hear my prayer Father. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Dear Allison,
I’m glad to see you’ve found our site. I pray that you would continue to be encouraged by the articles here. I would also like to offer you my prayers.
Lord God,
I pray that you would sustain Allison as she longs to have a family. I pray that you would help her to be happy with whatever you have planned for her. When Allison feels alone may you come alongside her and be a comfort to her. I pray that you would give Allison wisdom and discernment as she seeks to meet someone with whom she can share her life. I pray that you would give her strength to wait on you and a heart that continues to chase after you and your perfect will for her life. Thank you, Lord, for her faith and for her willingness to continually draw nearer to you. In the times where she feels like it’s hard to hold on to you, may she remember your promises and the fact that you love us unconditionally. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Allison, if you would like to talk to someone about how you’re feeling you’re welcome to sign up for an online mentor. Mentors are available to listen to any issues you may be going through and will come alongside you in a non-judgemental way. Thank you for your comment and I pray that God would encourage you today.
Thank you for this web site. It has inspired me but I need more faith to my fainting heart. I am single and want to have a family. Want to get married to a God fearing husband I will fall in love and and have a home filled with God fearing children. I feel like time is running out. Please pray for me that the Lord answers my prayers while I have thee strength to wait for his answers.
Dear God,
I bring before you all these request and we thank you that you are so willing to listen to us when we don’t even deserve it. Please answer us now according to your Will and because of your gracious and unfailing Love. Amen!
My daughter and son-in law are desperate for a baby they had four goes at I.V.F Aand they have all failed as a couple they do not deserve this,there is a slim chance she could get pregnant naturally,but it is only a slim chance,
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MARRIED TO PUT US BACK TOGETHER
Thank you for posting this on your website. God is faithful to those that seek him with their whole hearts. I shared this website with my sister and would like to lift her up in prayer. I pray for healing, financial blessings and for peace and joy that only comes from the Lord. I pray that her relationship with the Lord becomes stronger each day as she relys soley on Him for her blessings.
In Jesus name, Amen
please pray for since i want to change my company from where i am working because of very less salary.please do pray for me so that at list i get some offer from different companies to h i applied
Dear God,
You have heard Anil’s deep desire is to get a job with the Government. He needs to provide for his family. He needs you most of all because you are the Provider of all things and of Peace. So I pray for him that you will satisfy him in every way with good health and comfort at this time.Amen. God bless you Anil
I need Jopb I am married blessed with son and daughter my age is 37 Years , I am l;ooking for Govt Job since 1995, I started to pray top Lord in 2003, I had given lot of Qualifying Govt Job , I failed , I had written to many application to Minsiters for bl;essing me good Govt Job , I failed ,I wrote to many Spritual Leadres to bless me I Failed ,I wrote to Leadres of Foreighn Country I failed ,I went to Temple , Mosq,Gurdwara ,Religious places , I failed , Since 2003 I ended bleiving every thing but had belived in Bible and Lord Jesus , me and my wife and children thank lord for every thing , but my deep desire is a need of Govt Job , at prsent I am working in call centre far away from my native place where my old mother is , I am unable to save any thing i am under debits , physically geting weeker ,palce at my work place my seniors are always annoyed with me , I am in very hard times pl;ease pray for me
I believe this will help, Abena. Try memorizing portions of the Scriptures related to spiritual warfare. You don’t nee to memorize a whole lot of them but as you have those verses in your heart you will have the ammunitions needed to resist the devil and it will give you the words to speak to the people in your work environment.
God bless and He loves you
i often look up God related stuff on the net… i have been praying for deliverance from a very demonic atmosphere on a NYS job. I have been working in this environment for several years, I need the money and the commute i good. However the daily goings on are demonic to say the least….it is hard to shield myself as we are in an open environment ….filthy language, Sexually explicit language sexual harassment, adultery, retaliation for those who do not play the game…emotional harassment, bullying…….. And to top it off some who claim to be christians are right in this demonic mix……..This fact disapoints me.. Since more demonic activities take place than work!!!! I decided to read my bible at my dest during my breaks…. of course this has seemed to bring on more attacks!……….. i am Praying!!!!! for a another job that is Gods will or a way out of this demonic environment that will still allow me to meet my financial obligations……I know jehovah is listening and I know i am not the only one in this world to have these problems…however it can be vary difficult,,,,,,,,,,, it has made me more loving and forgiving to others as i am suffering so much on this job, I try to think of other to keep me from feeling sorry for myself….. i pray for my deliverance and that of other isn similar situations,,,,In Jesus’ name Amen!
ayaditope, I’m so glad that you found our site and that you took the time to leave a comment. I am praying for your wife right now. We have a wonderful group of online mentors that volunteer for our site that love to pray for people. If you have other specific prayer requests just fill out the form on this page and an online mentor will pray for you and email you. http://powertochange.com/experience/need-prayer/
Thanks very much for this awesome site.God has answered many of my prayers.I give him all the glory.
Please pray for me,i want my wife to deliver safely.
Thanks.
Chandra,
I am so sorry to hear about what has happened in your marriage. I can imagine life must be very difficult right now. We at Power to Change believe in coming together and praying for one another. We have prayer mentors who would like to pray with you. I have passed on your prayer request to them and you will be contacted by them for prayer. May you find God’s peace and comfort during this time.
My life is in ruins. My husband and I separated two months ago. Within a month he found a girlfriend and moved in with her. We have four children and he thinks he has done nothing wrong. Please pray for healing and softening of his heart. Please pray for forgiveness and healing on my heart. Please pray for marriage restoration. Amen
Lord, I thank You for Lorie and her humble prayer of repentance and forgiveness. Thank You that You hear her, Lord, and that You promise us in 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” I ask that You bless this couple Lord, and bind them together in Your awesome and beautiful love. Please speak to Lorie’s husband and call him to repentance, O God, and heal their hurting hearts. I pray these things in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.
Lorie, if you would like to speak to a mentor, please go to this link and one will answer your email promptly:
http://powertochange.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor/
God bless you, Lorie, and thank you for writing in to our blog site.
I thank You, Lord, for the prayers of Your faithful saints, and I ask You to hear their pleas. Bless each one, and help Olla with a breakthrough in her career, dear Jesus. I also ask You for blessings on Jim and his family. Pour out your riches from heaven, O Lord, and keep them strong in their faith and in their health, that Jim may find a good job, one that he may provide well for his family. My he lean on You completely during this difficult time for all of His needs, O God, knowing that You are hearing every cry of his heart and that You deeply care. O Father in heaven, I ask that you bless monica and soothe her broken heart. Sweet Jesus, You are the Healer, and I ask that you lay Your healing hands on her and on her life situation, O Lord; You know her full life situation and You care about every detail. I thank you for the prayers of every soul who has prayed here, Lord, and I ask You to respond to their faith with Your tender mercy and grace, and I ask these things in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Father God, PLEASE hear my prayer. I am deeply sorry for sins i commit and for only coming to you in times of need. Please help me strengthen my faith and fill me with your HOly Spirit! I want to be a faithful child, Lord. Please soften my husband’s heart and fill him with Your Spirit also. Satan has a stronghold over him and leading him down a destructive path. He is a good person and his soul is worth saving. I know you love us and brought us together as husband and wife and you do not want to see it destroyed. Please help me know what to do to save our marriage! I trust in you, Lord with all my heart that you want what is best for us but i know we need to recognize your desire that we love, trust and confide in you. Please help both of us with this journey to know You better! I am forever grateful for the blessings you have bestowed to me and humbly sorry for being a rebellous child. Please dont give up on me, Lord!!! In Jesus name I pray, AMEN
God bless you, sarpong, for your faith! I stand with you in believing that the Lord has just the right job for you in His perfect timing! O Lord Jesus, thank You for sarpong and his inspirational faith! May his strong belief in You and Your faithfulness in answering our pleas be an inspiration and encouragement to all who visit this post!
Thank you so much for this wonderful article, Muriel. It is a real blessing to me, and I pray that the Lord draws many here to read this and be so blessed.
Praise be to God for what he has done and what he is still yet to do.I lost my job through a strange circumstance and God used that to draw me closer to him.Am now jobless but I still know God has given me a good job already.So breatherens,its not over until its over.No one should loose hope because God is still in the miracle business.The devil will try and cast doubts in our minds but always rememner God will meet us at the point of our needs.Amen
Renson, I am glad that you found our site and were challenged by this article and many others. Please keep visiting!
Bertha, I will pray for you and your marriage as well.
Heavenly Father, I humbly come to you full of repentance for my actions. I ask that you bring my husband and I back together. I did not give my marriage a chance, I did not have patience and I acted hastily. Lord you know how far you brought me to to share a life with this man; if it is your will, please give us another chance. Give me the strength to keep fighting for my marriage, give me the wisdom to understand what I need to do. Give me humble heart and above all remind me what a blessing this man has been in my life. Amen
Heavenly Father, I humbly come to you to ask you for help in saving my marriage and bringing my family back together. Allow me to heal my pain and be strong for my children who need me. I made a vow before you to be with my husband through the good and bad and I will keep that promise and keep fighting for my marriage for as long as I possibly can. I ask this in your name heavenly father. Amen.
Came across this site while searching for material to teach on how to get prayers answered. I thank God for you as this material has really challenged me. I have. seen many other useful topics for my spiritual growth. May God give you grace to be a blessing to others.
Kofi, a free-loader is someone who does not work and expect other people to meet his or her need. You have work for 11 years. What makes you unable to work. You must have some skills and abilities. I am a cook and pastry chef by trade and I have been working at a metal shop for 5 years and 5 years ago I did not know anything about metal work. How did I find that job? I applied at a temporary jobs agency and here it happened. Humble yourself and God will help you.Trust Him. I pray for you
I have been working for the last 11 years. I have not built up adequate skills. Somehow I have been able to manage till now. I am now at a phase where I am not able to perform my work. I have been given a termination notice. I have a wife and child to manage. The mistakes over a long period have culminated. There is no quick fix for the problem I created. I don’t know what to do. I feel I should not have married and spoil the life of my wife, and brought to this earth a child who I am not able to take care of. I am desperate. I know the Lord does not like freeloaders, but that is what I am to my employer who is chucking me out. I do not have the skills to be employed.
Father God I humbly come to you in faith and trust for your unfailling supply of financial miracles in my life. Father God only you can rebuild my life financially. You know my hearts desires and my desperation to relocate close to my children. I trust that in the name of Jesus that you will pour your financial miracles upon my life in a speedy way and answer all my prayers. Oh thank you father for the many blessings you have given me are giving me and will continue to give me in the mighty name of Jesus. Strengthen me father in trust and faith as I await my answered prayers. In the precious and unfailing name of Jesus. Amen Amen Amen
Dear Olla
We offer free and confidential prayer, if you would like someone from our team to pray for you please fill out the form here: http://powertochange.com/discover/need-prayer/
Leah
I ask you my fellow brothers and sisters to help me pray for breakthrough in my academic career,that all the talents and gifts that the Lord bestowed on me be returned from both the land of the living and the dead.I also ask for protection
Please pray for me and my family. I have four children travelling with me and I was supposed to be paid for two jobs in the past and I wasn’t. It was enough money to pay my taxes and live for 6-9 months. I have a possibility to work for another company ( I consult) but I lack faith sometimes, it is hard to explain but I have faith but when something doesnt happen the way I want it to I act lke I don’t have faith. Please pray I get work right away consulting and that I get paid for my past jobs but most of all that I stay faithful and love the Lord with all my heart soul body and strength. May all of your prayers be answered and your families blessed.
heaven father,through the name of your son Jesus Christ, please im coming to you humbly with tears and broken heart,please bless all who are praying for my situation,wipe their tears nad answer their prayers,heal their deseases.They are blessings to me, they are uplifting me,dont forget people who are in the same situation like me,may your Holy spirit talk to them and come to you Almight God,who can make a way where there is no way.father i ask this through the name of your son Jesus christ.may this pain and heart ache im going through become the price of sinfull life of Sadick and curses he is carrying in his life. Amen