HOW TO GET AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS

HOW TO GET AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS

Do you lack financial blessings? Physical healing? Do you need guidance, direction, peace, or security? If you need anything from the Lord, He will supply it.

So, what’s the method the Lord prescribes for us to receive what we need? It’s found in a very simple verse:

James 1:5,
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

ASK OF GOD

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” That’s the method. Just ask of God. But many people don’t receive because they don’t ask. This isn’t usually our first choice, is it? Most of us tend to go to friends, loved ones, relatives, or even the bank. Some even resort to desperate, ungodly measures like kidnapping or selling drugs. That’s simply not the answer. You must ask of God.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “But I’ve always prayed to God, and He hasn’t answered!” Well, there are other conditions that need to be met. The Bible makes some of these clear.

For example, when you ask from God, the first thing you have to do is forgive the person who has offended you. In His prayer, Jesus taught us to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us.”

So, if you pray for forgiveness but haven’t forgiven those who’ve wronged you, you won’t be forgiven either.

It could also be that your motives aren’t sincere, or your prayer isn’t the right prayer, and so the Lord cannot hear you. What you’re asking for shouldn’t be for selfish reasons. James reminds us in James 4:1-3:

1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

This clearly explains why some people ask from the Lord but don’t receive. There’s so much conflict in this world because of the lust within us. We lust but don’t have; we desire but can’t obtain, and so we fight and even kill. We war against one another, yet we obtain nothing.

Why? Because we didn’t ask.                 

WANTS VERSUS NEEDS

Our needs are essential for our existence—to eat, to dress properly, to have shelter. Our wants are typically more than what we truly need. The Lord can supply not only our legitimate needs but our wants as well. If God only fulfilled our needs, it would contradict other verses in His Word, like Luke 6:38:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

“Running over” clearly means more than just our needs. Our wants will also be fulfilled, as long as they are in accordance with His Will.

James also explains that when we are in need, we often quarrel, switching to a “survival of the fittest” mentality. We fight tooth and nail, even resort to extreme measures, yet we still don’t “obtain” what we need. Why? Because we didn’t ask.

He goes on to say that we ask with the wrong motives, simply to “consume it upon our lusts.” For example, if you ask the Lord for a gun with the motive to kill an enemy, naturally, He won’t give it to you.

An unwritten condition in James 1:5, I believe, is that we must be sincere and honest in our asking.

God knows what’s in your heart. Even before you stand before Him and open your mouth, He already knows your needs, your wants, and the true motives of your heart.

WHY ASK WHEN HE ALREADY KNOWS?

The Word of God in Philippians 4:6 tells us:

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

The Lord truly knows what’s in your heart, but you still need to be specific. Follow what His Word says: “Let your requests be made known unto God.” So, tell Him, “Lord, I need money for my children’s education,” or “Lord, I need money to pay my debts.” Talk to Him about these things. As long as they are legitimate needs, those requests will be answered by God, one by one.

ASK IN HIS NAME

John 14:13 says,
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” He said it Himself: “Ask in My name so that the Father may be glorified.”

You don’t need to pray repetitively or religiously, or even memorize your prayers. While tradition might help some concentrate, those things aren’t necessary anymore.

When you go to Him, go directly. Thank Him for what you have, and for the blessings you’ve already received. Show Him your respect, and then tell Him directly from the bottom of your heart. You don’t even need to use big words.

Just state your requests and your needs, and you’ll see how the Lord will truly bless you, answer you, and give you what you need. His Word is our roadmap, providing wisdom.

DON’T TAKE HIM FOR GRANTED

Every day, the Lord also teaches us not to take Him for granted. Just because He’s your Father and you know He’s going to supply all your needs, doesn’t mean He’ll automatically give you everything. I don’t believe that’s the relationship God wants to build with His children.

Otherwise, you might become spoiled. Later, when the Lord desires your fellowship, gratefulness, and thanksgiving, and you don’t give it, you might even say, “I didn’t ask for that; it was just given to me.”

This can sour your relationship with Him. It’s not good for us when the Lord feels disheartened by our attitude. All we have to do is recognize and revere Him by thanking Him.