How do I receive answers to my prayers?

Beloved in Christ, this is an important question which many believers are seeking answers. But the answer to this all important question is simply to look into the scriptures. Does God truly answer our prayers? Yes, he does and we have biblical evidences to buttress this fact, and even in our own lives, we can attest to the fact that God indeed answers our prayers and supplications. You can read my article, ''Does God really answer our prayers? to dive deeper. But the question for today is, ''How do I receive answers to my prayers? There are key biblical principles we can apply for us to receive answers to our heartfelt desires. Let us by the aid of the Spirit look at some of them for our spiritual edification and comfort.

Our prayers should be mixed with faith

If you are praying and deep down your heart you are unsure whether God will answer, then how can you receive answers to your prayer? Apostle James wrote this: But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1; 6-8). Prayer which is destitute of faith is powerless. Every prayer must be prayed by faith, if we pray by faith we are likely to receive answers to our requests. Jesus said this: Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you (Mark 11; 24). Jesus lays down an important principle in this text, and the principle is that our prayers must be backed by faith in God. 

The author of Hebrews communicates similar truth in his epistle: And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him-- Hebrews 11; 6. Abraham prayed and trusted in God to have a son, though he was old to have a child and God fulfilled what he has promised him: Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform-- Romans 4; 19-21. Faith plays a pivotal role in prayer, if we are to expect answers to our prayers.

Our prayers must be consistent with God's will 

To pray in accordance to God's will is to pray scriptural prayers. God has revealed his will in the holy scriptures, so our responsibility is to align our prayers to his will, as he has already made it known to us in his word. We can stand on God's promises to pray, and God will honor his word, for he has exalted his word above his name (Psalm 138; 8). For instance, God has promised to give us wisdom when we ask for it: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him--- James 1; 5. We must always endeavor to make sure that our prayers are in line to God's will, for that is how we can receive answers to our prayers: This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him-- 1 John 5; 14-15

We must walk in obedience to God

Apostle John wrote this: And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight-- 1 John 3: 22. 

The apostle says that we receive what we ask for, because we keep his commandments and do those things which are pleasing in God's sight. Remember, God's commandments are not burdensome, see (1 John 5; 3). The commandments spoken of in context is this: This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us-- 1 John 3; 23. The commandment is to believe in Christ, and to demonstrate the love of God towards one another. Walk in love and see how your prayers will manifest practically in your life.

The last principle in this article, is persistence and perseverance. There are some Christians they easily grow weary when they do not receive what they have been praying for. But the bible encourages us to pray always and not to faint, see (Luke 18; 1). A notable example was Daniel who prayed and fasted for 21 days, he persisted and persevered in his supplications until the answer finally came, see (Daniel 10). Perseverance and persistence in prayer is key, if we are to expect answers to prayers. 

God answers prayers, therefore, let us make it a point to apply the above biblical principles for our own good. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Prayer which is destitute of faith is powerless

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

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