Discover the secrets to answered prayer November 12, 2007
Posted by Han in : Prayer , trackbackWhen was the last time your prayer got answered? I hope it is not ages ago. Take some time to recall back those experiences – what were you praying for, how long or how frequent did you pray and most importantly, what was your response after your prayer got answered.
I believe the feeling must be ecstasy. Indeed it’s wonderful to have answered prayer. But now…it’s not the case anymore! It has been awhile since you had that excitement. And perhaps you have also lost touch (or faith) in both prayer and God. Why? It could possibly be many unanswered prayer and after awhile you have either forgotten about what you prayed or given up on praying itself.
If this is your condition, I want to stir the stale water and rekindle your love towards praying again. God is a prayer answered God. Jesus declared, “You may ask me anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14) God promises, “Call to me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3) Therefore prayer is the way to tap into the mighty power of God. Prayer is the avenue to miracles, signs and wonders.
Don’t lose heart, let’s take a look at some of the principles in the bible and hopefully by applying these principles, you are on your way to experience the mighty power of God in your prayer life again.
1) Your prayer must be in line with the word of God
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7.
In John 15:7, Jesus said ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you but take note, there is a condition attached. The condition is you must remain in Him and His word remains in you. Screen your prayer through the word of God. If it is not originated from pride, selfish desire and lustful motive, and it is in line with God, take heart, whatever you wish, it will be given to you.
2) Have faith in God
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
Faith is a must. It is a very important ingredient in your prayer life. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. Therefore when you pray, you must believe that God is going to answer. There should be no unbelief in your heart. If you do have, ask God to help you to overcome unbelief (Mark 9:24).
Do not let the worrying circumstance affect your faith. Do not focus on the problem. Do not let the fact weaken your faith. Do not let people talk your faith and God down. Just concentrate and have faith in God. When your faith rises above all the threatening situation, your answer is near.
3) Surrender everything to God
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14.
This is one of the toughest things to do – surrender everything completely to God. It simply means you cease from doing anything and with confidence, trust in God. He will take care of everything. But the problem is many a time after praying; you start to do thing yourself (without waiting for God). When thing didn’t work out, you put the blame on God.
4) Wait patiently on God
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
By nature many of us are impulsive, we want quick fix and the best is even before you prayed, God has already settled all your problems. But often it is not the case. In between praying and receiving answer, there is always a waiting period.
During this time of waiting, you keep concentrating and focusing on God. It is at this time; you shut yourself from the world and tune in to God. It is when your inner world is quiet you can hear from God.
5) Do not dwell in sin
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18.
Sin is a hindrance to the power of God in our lives; it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2). This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect in order to get an answer to prayer. It simply means you cannot dwell in sin with one hand and reach out for divine help with the other. Sincere confession and repentance will put you on the right standing with God again.
6) Be persistent in your prayer
Jesus illustrated the need to persist in our petitions by telling the story of a very stubborn widow who kept coming to a judge with her request. At last the judge saw her persistency and granted her wish (Luke 18:1-7). Do not give up easily. Be persistent, hang on to God and He will answer to you.
7) Be specific in your prayer
Do not be general in your prayer. Be specific; describe exactly what you want. For example, don’t just tell God you want a car; tell Him the brand, the model and the color that you want. Many of the New Testament people came to Jesus knowing exactly what they want from Jesus.
How about you, do you know exactly what you want?
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Prayer: The Next Level
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Prayer: When Heaven Is Silent
Comments»
AMEN!!
thank you so much for this encouragement…
i wont say it’s been a long time since my prayers were answered but this really challenge me to get my faith stretched and believe God for more and more!
Hi Lynwei, it’s great to know that this article is of certain encouragement to you. My intention is to help many identify the hindrances to answered prayer, rekindle their lost passion for praying and lastly experience the mighty power of God in their lives again, amen.
Praise God. Awesome article. I am grateful to the person who wrote this. Thank you so much. I love all the articles that are put up in here.