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.
- 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).
please pray for my husband he just want to court and the juged said that he would let him know some thing in 8 to 30 days.pray that god will touch the juged heart and he will drop all charged on my husband and he will be home real soon.also pray for my eye it hurt and sometime it hard for me to see out of it. my husband is a man of god and a loveing husband and a great daddy. thank you for help us to pray for his free and would you please asked in the name of jesus
Dear Sister Opal–I have just added my prayer to yours. May the Lord deliver him and use this experience in his life to God’s glory. When two agree on anything, it will be done, our Lord Jesus said. In his love, Dr. Muriel
I know you always are here for us and I need you more than ever tight now. I pray today to ask for the courts to continue our guardianship of our granddaughter and that my daughter get the help she needs and stops lying and realize that we are doing what’s right and safe for her child until she can. Please lots hear my desperate prayer to keep her home with us for now.
They are in court as we speak and I am praying for a positive outcome – in our favor shortly. Please lord grant us this in the name of god and this child. Amen
Please pray God will open doors for me in the Ministry Preaching full-time. Thanks for you prayer
Please pray for my ex husband to forgive my mistakes in our marriage and for me to forgive him, his mistakes. Please pray for God to open Gary’s heart to his children and allow them (us) all to heal. My heart hurts for my children when he is so unforgiving and not interested in who or how they are.
please pray for me to pass my btech with 60%.Result will be published by next week…plz plz plz pray for me
Pls help me pray in the upcoming birth of my daughter will go good and that she will turn before the 22nd of July . (that is my due date for a c-section, if she don’t turn)… I know through prayer and faith all things r possiable. Im beleiving in that very much! ty all who help me in the faith and prayers.
Im realy depressed. It seems my boyfriend would leave me because his mother dislikes me And my mom. We are also poor compared to his rich and dignified family. They want the best girl for their son. My boyfriend tried to convince his family but failed. He loves his mom very much. He has stopped responding me possitively. Please pray for me that i can convince him and his family too. I love him truly and our relationship to be blessed. Please pray for this.
PLS. PRAY FOR MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND IS STUDYIHNG IN SEMINARY… I AM TRYING TO HELP OUR FAMILY BY WORKING BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGHT FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED INCLUDING MY HUSBAND TUITION FEE AT SCHOOL. THNX A LOT!
@swati:
@SWATI: I PRAYED FOR U.
Please pray for me and my daughters. We are struggling financially and need all the help we can get. I have prayed about this and I am hitting a stumbling block that I cannot see. Pray that I will also overcome what is standing in my way. Thank you
Dear Sisters–As I have looked at your various requests for prayer, I have prayed with and for you. May the Lord bless you, give you peace, and do the very best for you according to His will. In His love, Dr. Muriel
Please pray for my son. He was a high school student that made a mistake with Marijuana and is now been sentenced to two years in prison. We are asking for a new trial this week and I am praying that the judge will grant the new trial and he will receive a more reasonable sentence.
I have been praying that God will help me find a good job with benefits. I lost my job last August when the store where I had been working in for 4 years closed. After 21 years of working in retail I had finally found a job where I had good wages and insurance for both of us. Pray with me that God will help me find a job with insurance to replace the one I lost.
My faith in God is wavering, although deep inside I love God. It is just that the events in my life, most tragic, have led me to believe that I am being tested all the time, amd I am quite tired. I wish for stability and tranquility. I desire bliss and blessings. I crave peace and love. Please pray for me and for my faith to become truly strong. Please pray for me. Thanks
Jorgen, know that you are not alone and people are praying for you. I have also forwarded your prayer request to our prayer team, someone will be contacting you by email shortly.
I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, and probably cannot imagine, but I hope you will still be able to take some solace in Jesus’ words: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Hello,
I have been unemployed since may 2010,I have submitted my CV to different places but to no avail,my friends wants to kick me out of the place because I can not manage to pay rent. Help me in prayers that as am going out today to drop my CV it shouldn’t go in vain and that God alwalys makes ways where there is no way and He should create a job for me,
Dear Sisters and Brothers–I have just prayed for your requests. Bernadette, the Lord knows your needs–He will provide for you a place to stay. If need be, the Salvation Army can help you with that as well as other needs–but have faith in the Lord and He will give you His peace.
Dear Bernadette,
I will keep you in my prayers and hope and pray from the bottom of my heart that things change for the better soon in your life. I also would like to recommend the book ‘This Thing Called You’ by Ernest Holmes. It is absolutely amazing. All the best
pray for me to get back with my girlfriend who we brike up..I am the course of the break up and i pray that she forgives me and we get back together..i jus wanna spend the rest of my life with her.Thank you and God bless
Keep short accounts with God. You will discover just how weak you are.
By your own strength you really can do nothing. But that is a great relief.So whenever you or I mess up and let him down, confess it immediately.When you are tempted by lust or otherwise confess it to him and ask to be delivered. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Yours sincerely. c