The Conditions for Answered Prayers
God hears and answers every prayer. David the prophet wrote, “O LORD…you discern my thoughts … Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:1). God hears our prayers and He is very eager to bless us in the way that is best for us. But there are conditions for answered prayers:
1-We need to feel our need for God. He promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground” (Isaiah 44:3). The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” The Bible declares, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Matthew 7:7; Romans 8:32).
2-We should not be living in sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). The prayer of the repentant soul is always accepted (1 John 1:9). When all known sins are forsaken by His power, we may believe that God will answer our petitions.
3-We must have faith in Him. “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus promised, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).
4-Pray in Jesus’ Name. Jesus promised, “whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16). To pray in the name of Jesus means to believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and walk in His path.
5-We must have a spirit of love and forgiveness to others. How can a we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” and yet have an unforgiving spirit? (Matthew 6:12). If we expect our own prayers to be heard, we must forgive others in the same way as we wish to be forgiven.
6-We should persevere in prayer. We are to be “instant in prayer” and to “continue in prayer” (Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2). We are so short-sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be good for us, and God in love answers our prayers by giving us that which is for our good-that which we ourselves would want if we could see all things as God sees them.
7-We should pray with thanksgiving. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth” God (Psalm 50:23).
God hears our prayers. Therefore, we are to keep our wants, our joys, our sorrows, our cares, and our fears before Him for “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
