Prayer is an important part of the Christian faith. As believers, we are told to pray continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to cast all of our cares upon God, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). However, many Christians struggle with unanswered prayers which can lead to disappointment, confusion and even loss of faith. In this article, we will explore what the Bible teaches about God answering prayers and how we can align our prayers with His will.
Have Faith and Believe
One of the most important principles for having prayers answered is to have unwavering faith and belief in God’s ability to respond. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” When we approach God, we must first believe that He is who He says He is – a prayer answering God who desires to give us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). We demonstrate our faith when we persistently pray and petition Him, trusting in His supernatural power and believing He can intervene on our behalf. If we pray while doubting, Scripture says we will be like a “wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7).
In Mark 9:14-29, we see a father crying out to Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son. Though Jesus was standing before him in the flesh, the man still pleaded “if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus responded “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father cried out “I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus rewarded this honest confession of faith by healing the man’s son. When we express belief in God’s power, even if imperfect, it shows we are dependent on Him to act. Our faith honors God and shows we are trusting in His will.
Pray According to God’s Will
God promises to grant requests that align with His will for our lives. 1 John 5:14-15 assures us, “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 that we have asked of him.” To have prayers answered, we must prioritize God’s desires over our own. Christ Himself prayed “Yet not my will, but yours, be done” in Luke 22:42. When we ask for outcomes like healing, provision and blessing, we must submit to God’s greater knowledge and sovereignty, trusting He knows best.
We can pray confidently according to God’s will when we ask for things that Scripture clearly reveals. These include requests for:
- Wisdom – James 1:5
- Peace – Philippians 4:6-7
- Healing from sickness – James 5:14-15
- Strength to resist sin – Hebrews 2:18
- Redemption of loved ones – 2 Peter 3:9
Bringing our petitions into alignment with principles from God’s Word shows we are surrendered to His good plan.
Have Pure Motives
Our motives also impact whether God chooses to answer our prayers. James 4:3 tells us, “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” If we pray out of selfish ambition, pride, greed or impure desires, these requests may go unanswered. Even righteous petitions can be hindered if we harbor bitterness, resentment and anger toward others in our hearts (Matthew 5:22-24, Mark 11:25).
We see this illustrated in the prophet Samuel’s warning to King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Samuel pronounces God’s judgment on Saul, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” Though Saul confessed his sin and asked Samuel to return with him to worship God, Samuel refused saying “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you.” Saul had repeatedly disobeyed God’s commands, indicating his heart was not fully surrendered. His subsequent prayers could not override his underlying sinful motivations.
For our prayers to be answered, we must examine our hearts and repent of any impure motives. We should pray with a desire to bring glory to God rather than a selfish agenda. As our will comes into alignment with His purposes, He will grant our requests.
Remove Sin from Your Life
Unconfessed sin can form a barrier between us and God that prevents our prayers from being answered. As Isaiah 59:2 states, “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you.” God may not respond to the petitions of someone embracing sinful behavior or attitudes.
Psalm 66:18 confirms this principle: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Just as parents may not heed the requests of a disobedient child demanding ice cream for breakfast, God is not obligated to answer prayers offered by those rebelling against Him. Until sin is addressed through confession and repentance, it hinders our fellowship with God.
This is poignantly depicted in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. Though the religious Pharisee prayed at length about his righteous deeds, it was the humble tax collector who cried out “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” who went home justified. God looks at the inward posture of our hearts more than external acts of righteousness. As King David wrote in Psalm 51:16-17, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” God honors honest repentance that opens the way for our prayers to be heard.
Forgive Others
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus instructed us to ask God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:9-13). This implies God’s willingness to extend forgiveness to us is linked to our willingness to forgive others who have offended and wronged us. Jesus confirmed this later in Matthew 6:14-15 saying “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Harboring unforgiveness toward others can hinder our prayers.
This principle is reinforced in Mark 11:25 where Jesus taught, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Carrying resentment burdens our relationships with both God and others. It is vital we release grudges and choose to see others through the lens of grace. When we offer undeserved favor to those who have wronged us, it demonstrates the Spirit of Christ within us and our understanding of God’s mercy towards us. Freeing others from debt removes obstacles to our own prayers being answered.
Have A Right Marital Relationship
For believers who are married, having a right relationship with your spouse can impact prayer. In 1 Peter 3:7, husbands are instructed: “Live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” When a husband fails to honor his wife and treat her with respect and tenderness, it can hinder his spiritual life. This verse emphasizes the need for unity, mutual love and humility between spouses for their prayers to be fully effective.
We see a reflection of this principle in Deuteronomy 24:5 where men who have recently married are instructed: “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.” God instituted marriage because He values the unique companionship and intimacy it brings. For our prayers to be empowered, we must nurture our marriage relationships.
Pray Persistently
Waiting is often part of the prayer process. Rarely does God answer immediately; often it requires persevering through periods of silence and seeming unresponsiveness from heaven. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus told a parable equating persistence in prayer with relentlessly pleading for justice before an unrighteous judge. Though the judge was initially unwilling, he finally granted the request because of the widow’s persistence. Jesus concludes “will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” Though God is not unjust, the parable emphasizes the need for patience and steadfastness in waiting for Him to act.
We also see principles of persistence modeled in Daniel 10 where Daniel fasted and prayed for three weeks before an angel arrived in response saying “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words” (Daniel 10:12). Though Daniel prayed believing God heard, it required determined perseverance to receive the answer. When we continue praying despite discouragement and delay, it demonstrates faith that God remains sovereign and able to act.
Pray with Other Believers
God also promises to answer corporate prayer offered by believers united through Christ. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus declares: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” When Christians gather to petition God in Jesus’ name, it carries special power and authority. Scripture exhorts us to confess sins and pray for each other so we may be healed and our prayers made effective (James 5:16).
We see an example of God responding swiftly and decisively to corporate prayer in Acts 12:1-19 when the early church interceded earnestly for Peter’s release from prison. Their persistence in prayer led to a miracle of Peter being freed from jail by an angel. The unity of believers praying in faith made their request convincing to God. When we join our hearts and voices with other Christians, we reflect the power of agreement.
Focus on Developing Your Relationship with God
Ultimately, more important than getting answers to all our prayers is growing in intimacy with God. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that God rewards those who “diligently seek Him.” Earnestly pursuing knowing the heart of God pleases Him, even when our prayers are not fully answered in the way we desire. As we delight in His presence, our motives and desires are purified to align more closely with His purposes. Answered or not, prayer transforms us and anchors our lives in relationship with Him.
The apostle Paul knew this incredible intimacy with God. Though he prayed persistently for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, God chose not to heal him for greater purposes. Yet Paul could say “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). His primary desire was knowing and experiencing more of Jesus above all else. This heart posture enabled him to rejoice in God’s empowering grace even when prayers went unanswered.
As we continually commune with God, we grow to see things from His perspective and align more closely with His purposes. Though He retains the sovereignty to say yes or no to our petitions, we can trust Him fully. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). He invites us to keep seeking Him in faith and obedience, believing He will respond according to His infinite wisdom and love.
