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).
Dear heavenly Father, I come to you today to thank you for allowing me to live another day. I also have one thing to request lord it is hard times out here for everyone lord I come to ask for riches but not to be selfish lord I only want to spread and do thy will. I feel money is an obstacle in my life I feel I can do much more if I had alot more I know you believe in me lord thats why you have mercy on me and I thank you for that. Lord trust me I will not let you down I promise. IN Jesus Name I pray. Amen!
Roy thanks for stopping by. We do have online prayer mentors that would love to join you in praying for your first home. Just click on the “need prayer” icon on the top right hand corner and a prayer mentor will email you in return.
Dear heavenly father i thank you for every day and every person in our lives,forgive all of us when we slip,keep us focused on you and my family and i pray in Jesus name that you please bless us with our first owned home,the one we’ve been praying and believing for.we know that we have whatever we ask for in prayer.thank you.
I’m glad you found our site and took the time to leave your prayers here on this article Kerry-Ann and Obinna. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, we also have online prayer mentors that are committed to praying for our visitor and would love to pray for you and email you personally. Just fill out the form on this page and they will be in touch with you by email. http://powertochange.com/experience/need-prayer/
I pray in the name of God Elohim through his son our lord Jesus Christ that I may get a good paying Job within 2 weeks and eventually start my own company in years to come from which I can gain enough money to help many lives in need and be an international figure. This i believe and pray for. Amen
Dear Lord, I come to you today humbly asking for your forgiveness. You and only you can see the true desires of my heart Dear Lord, I forgive all the hurt and pain I have gone through these past years in my life. I want to have a special relationship with you Father. I want You to enrich my life, I want to be whole and made in you. I want you to be there in every step towards my success, a protector, a husband, my everything. I truly want to just get out of this past way of living lies, abuse, depression, poverty and live a life filled with all that you have to offer me. I am ready to make bold moves in my life, clean loving relationships, progressive business decisions, and it can only be possibly through the almighty. I am ready Lord, I am ready to receive.
Dear Heavenly Father I lift Ann and Barry up to you right now,
Thank you that you know the situation Ann’s family finds themselves in right now. You are the God of the impossible and we know that you still do miracles today and every day. Help them to deal with the daily stress that is related to this Lord and may they run to You as their Shelter and their Shield as they wait.
For Barry’s son Luke, Lord would you touch him? Give him hope Lord and show him that even in his darkest moments You are there with him. Show Barry how to encourage his son and be a friend to him. Amen
Please know that you can also send in your prayer requests here at this form, http://powertochange.com/discover/need-prayer/ and one of our prayer mentors would love to pray for you and walk alongside of as you walk thru these challenges in your lives.
I ask for prayers for my son Luke . Luke is 16 years old and has depression.I ask that you pray for him and ask God to release him from his depression.
Dear Friends,
Our family is facing a tough/nearly impossible immigration situation right now. I ask that you all keep us in our prayers and that God my change our situation for the better. Please pray that our family manages to deal with the stress of it and that God’s will be served. Thank You.
dear hurtone– prayer–father God i pray for this person’s heart for your healing hand to come over her heart and i pray you can heal hurt hearts too you are the great physician also for this guy fabian nelson joseph for him to heal too and to open his eyes to see on what he did to this peson and for to him to ask forgivesness so repentance can happen give this person words to pray and for this peson who hurt this person i pray all of this in JESUS name amen i am praying for you love sharon
Hello Lilly,
I pray for you and your little girl. I pray that your heavenly Father will give you the awareness of his care and presence and that you will feel His love. I pray also that your husband will know the truth about this situation and will be discerning. I pray that God will also open doors of opportunities for you and that you will find the desire of your heart. I pray that you will be protected. God bless you!
Please pray for me and my gal(just 7 month) now., my husband neglected us coz of the lies said by his parents and sisters., he is not believing me totally. he and his family members really did lot of bad to my parents me and my brother, so please pray for us that my husband must come to know all the truth and the bad mind of his family members, also nw i need job for the safety of me and my baby, God please help us.,
Please pray for my broken heart to heal. Pray for the man Fabian Nelson Joseph, that has hurt me so bad that it seems to have been smashed up not just broken. It has been 6 months and I still cant see my way. I pray daily but maybe i was praying wrong. After reading your article i will change my approach to prayer. I pray that God may heal Fabian and we may once again be together but all my friends especially the christian ones think I am praying for the wrong thing but then i ask myself why are they doubting the power of GOD. HE IS CURRENTLY a very bad person who seems to have pride that he has hurt me and other women badly but I pray everyday for him because I know the power of God and I know he will be healed.
I pray that GOD will answer my prayer for this job. If it is his will, I and Bill will move forward and agree and things will be agreed on. I am blessed as God has been opening doors up all around me. I am just unsure which door he wants me to take :) I thank you father for being there and giving me choices. Please help me make the right one. If it is your will I will be working for Bill. I believe this will be a huge stepping stone for my career and everything I have ever wanted.
So VV,
I pray now for you that will work a miracle in your life. A miracle of Hope and that he will gently pick you up and bring you to a peaceful brook where you will be able to see Him for who He is. May He put His arms around you and show you His love. To show you that you are good enough for Him and that He already knows everything about you. He loves you
Hello VV,
My heart goes out to you as I know that God is the God of Hope. He is the Father to the hopeless. Can you see Him in your mind’s eyes reach down for you and pull you and make you into the likeness of Jesus Christ. He is making you more like him. I know it is small comfort when all these things are happening around you but God is in control despite of what it looks like. You can trust Him. He will never forsake you. He will never leave you. Your world may fall apart but God doesn’t. I know because I have been in that situation. I have been so depressed because my world felt like moving sand under my feet but I had to come to the realization that nothing in this world is tangible but only God is my Rock, my safe place, my security. He is the one we must hold on to and praise. So rise up little one and proclaim him and He will pick you up from the miry clay and make you into a shelter for others to be helped.
Please pray for me and my family problems. I feel like life is so overwhelming, and don’t want to, but at times feel so hopeless. I do not want to give up. My kids have issues after issues. One is mentally challenge, one is not growing, and another seems so fragile. On top of it, I have health challenges myself, that just never seems to get better permanently. My husband is the only one working since my health bars me from helping him, and I feel helpless beyond words. Almost like a good for nothing at times. Sometimes I feel the temptation to just give up.
dear binu prayer–father God i pray for binu’s dad so he won’t suffer any pain and for you to heal him you are the great physician and nothing is impossible with you show yourself powerful to him through dreams and visions that you are near him and also binu at this time i am praying for you all God be with you at this time
My father has just been diagnosed with Stage-4 prostate cancer. I can’t even imagine the pain that it causes, especially when it affects the bone. I pray for all those who suffer from cancer and other painful conditions. I also pray that God does not let my dad suffer.
Alison, pray that He will send you a husband, but if that isn’t His willthat He would take that desire away from you. I don’t think its godly to long for something and not specifically ask God for it. I’m so tired of people recommending that single people pray for strength to be single and for His will to be done but refuse to bring a request before God that someone will find a mate. A mate is a godly desire and a blessing from God. The act of requesting recognizes that it is God who is in control and meets the need. He can change your desires and let you know if you are on the wrong track. There is no virtue in refraining from making a request that is within the bounds of a godly life. Pray boldly for your godly desires and then submit to His response.
Dear Prosper, You ask for a great and wonderful thing! God will never give us too much, but always enough. There is great power in prayer, and a British king is to have said something like this: “I fear the prayers of John Knocks more than the power of our army”. Jesus promised us power when He said, in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NIV. That is the power that comes with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
It seems to me, however, that this is not quite what your question means. Muriel Larson, lists the 8 conditions that God’s Word sets down for answered prayer. No doubt you have studied these.
I feel that following the format given to us in The Lord’s Prayer, is a good place to begin: First we recognize who God is, and address Him in reverence. Then we pray for His Kingdom to prosper, and that His will be done on earth (as it is done in heaven)….. That is the general outline which we can expand on. I feel that prayer is a method of getting to know God more intimately, and of receiving information on what is important for us to do, so that our life will line up with His desire for us. For me “prayer is a way of life”! Too often I fail, but I generally go through the day in prayerful-attitude.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for calling Prosper to a closer walk with You. Answer that prayer, I ask in the name of Jesus, our intercessor. Amen.
I find that the Guideposts Magazine is very inspirational, illustrating answered prayer in practically every story.
Dear Borthers & Sisters,
Please help me to know how can I get power from heven through prayer
Thanks