God's Faithful: Answered Prayers And Blessings

Prayer is a two-way conversation with God, where you can express gratitude, confess sins, and connect with God in worship. God promises to answer prayers, but this does not mean that he will fulfil every request or be at our beck and call. God has placed restrictions and limits on how he answers. For instance, God does not answer the prayers of those who reject him as their Lord and Saviour. God also instructs that there are conditions to be met for him to answer prayers. These include having faith in God, being a follower of Christ, living a godly life, and doing God's will.

God answers prayers with what is best for the faithful, not necessarily what is desired

God answers prayers, but not always in the way we might expect or desire. The Bible teaches that God gives us what is best for us, even if it is not what we want. This is because God always wants what is best for us and knows what is best.

The Bible says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9-10). We are encouraged to ask God for the desires of our heart, but this does not mean that God will give us whatever we want. Instead, it means that God will give us what is good for us (Luke 11:11-13).

To pray effectively, we must come to God with faith and trust, knowing that He always wants what is best for us. We must also be willing to forgive others and live according to His commandments. If we do this, we can be confident that God hears our prayers and will answer them according to His will for our lives.

While God does not always answer our prayers in the way we expect, we can be sure that He hears us and will give us what is best. This is because God is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. We can trust that His answers to our prayers will be for our ultimate good and His glory.

God encourages the faithful to ask for anything, as long as it aligns with His will

> "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened."

Similarly, in Matthew 7:7, we find: "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

These verses assure believers that God is listening and willing to provide for their needs. However, it is important to recognize that God is not a genie who grants wishes; instead, He answers prayers according to His perfect will and timing. As 1 John 5:14-15 states:

> "This is the confidence we have when approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us — whatever we ask — that we have what we asked of him."

Additionally, God's promise to answer prayers is conditional. He requires faith and obedience from those who call upon Him. As John 9:31 states: "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."

Therefore, while God encourages us to ask for anything, it must be aligned with His will, and we must approach Him with faith and obedience.

God hears the prayers of the righteous, but not the wicked

The Bible teaches that prayer is simple: asking God to do what he has promised to do through Christ. God gives to us; we don't give to God. We ask, and he gives.

God hears the prayers of the righteous and those who do right. The Lord is far from the wicked, and he does not hear their prayers.

> The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

> > Proverbs 15:29

God is said to be "far" from the wicked in the sense that he does not listen or regard them with favour. The Bible also says that God is near to all who call on him, especially those who call out to him in truth.

> The Lord does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to the one who worships him and does his will.

> > John 9:31

God hears and answers every prayer, but there are a few to which he always says, "Yes". God will always answer prayers that ask him to deliver on his promises.

God answers prayers in many ways, including comfort, guidance, and healing

God answers prayers in many ways, including through comfort, guidance, and healing.

Comfort

God provides comfort in times of distress and sorrow. The Serenity Prayer, for instance, seeks solace in God:

> God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

The Prayer for Inner Peace is another prayer that invokes God's comfort:

> God of all comfort, grant me the gift of inner peace. In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, help me to trust in your plan and find tranquility in your presence. Let your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Guidance

God offers guidance and direction to those who feel lost or off course. The following prayer, for instance, asks God for help with decision-making:

> Generous Father, you have told me to ask you for whatever I need. You said that if I ask, it will be given. If I seek, I will find. If I knock, the door will be opened to me. I ask you for guidance and direction now, Lord, and pray that you would answer my request. You are a perfectly good Father who only ever gives good gifts to his children. You love to give good gifts to those who ask. As your humble child, I ask for the gift of wisdom today. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Another prayer asks God for help with spiritual disciplines:

> Loving Father, help me to cultivate spiritual disciplines, so I am more able to receive what you have to tell me, and more willing to do what you require. May I not only come to you with my needs, my praise, and my thanksgiving, but make a habit of spending time in worshipful listening. Help me not allow the distractions of social media and the busyness of life to drown out your still small voice. Help me be guided in all things by you, rather than my own imperfect judgment. Amen.

Healing

God provides healing in times of physical, spiritual, and emotional pain. The following prayer asks for healing and comfort:

> Heavenly Father, I come before you in my time of need. Grant me your healing touch, both physically and emotionally. Comfort me in my pain and suffering, and help me find strength in my weakness. May your love and grace surround me and bring me peace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Another prayer asks for healing and strength:

> Father, help me to keep my focus on You when the pain and hurt are overwhelming. Help me be faithful and see the good and blessings surrounding me. Please strengthen my mind, heart, and body, and heal me today. May the Holy Spirit guide me in peace and comfort. Amen.

God wants the faithful to pray with faith, humility, and sincerity

Prayer is a vital part of the Christian faith, a way to communicate with God and seek guidance and support. God wants the faithful to pray with faith, humility, and sincerity, and in return, He promises to answer their prayers and be with them in times of need.

The Bible teaches that prayer is a way to ask God for what we desire and need, and He will provide for us. Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9–10). This means that we can have faith that God will answer our prayers and provide for our needs. However, it is important to approach prayer with humility and a recognition of our own limitations. We should also express gratitude for God's blessings and confess our sins with sincerity and an open heart. As the Bible says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).

Prayer is not just about asking for what we want but also about aligning our desires with God's divine plan. Through prayer, we can submit to God's will, as taught in the Lord's Prayer: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10). By doing so, we can be confident that God will extend mercy and grace to us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). Prayer is also a way to find comfort and guidance when we feel distant from God or are facing challenges. The Psalms assure us that "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul" (Psalm 23:1-3).

Furthermore, prayer is not just a solitary act but also a communal one. Family prayer, in particular, is emphasized as a way to bring harmony and strengthen faith within the family unit. By praying together, families can stay connected to God and each other, and children can learn the importance of prayer and develop their own faith.

In conclusion, God wants the faithful to pray with faith, humility, and sincerity. By approaching prayer with the right attitude and recognizing God's sovereignty and holiness, we can be assured that He will answer our prayers and provide for our needs. Prayer is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and a way to deepen our relationship with God.

Frequently asked questions