Answers to Prayer

God’s Unlimited Ability

How does God anticipate the needs of His children?

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.

Is there any limit to God’s ability to help?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20. 

How fully has God promised to supply our needs?

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19.

Man’s Limited Understanding

Do we always know what to pray for?

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

Romans 8:26.

Does God always see fit to grant our petitions?

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12: 8,9.

Note – Paul’s affliction, some have thought, was impaired sight. (Acts 9:8, 9, 18: 22:11-13.) The retaining of such an imperfection would be a constant reminder to him of his conversion, and hence a blessing in disguise.

Patience and Perseverance

If an answer does not come at once, what should we do?

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7.

Why was the parable of the importunate widow given?

“Then Jesus told them His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1.   

Note – The request of the importunate widow was granted because of her persistency. God wants us to seek Him earnestly, when we pray. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6.)

How did Elijah pray before obtaining his request?

“Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” James 5:17,18. (See also Revelation 11:3-6.)

Two Fundamental Conditions

Upon what condition does Christ say we shall receive? 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24.

Without this faith, will God answer prayer?

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

James 1:6,7.

What petitions may we confidently expect God to hear?

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14,15. 

Note – God’s will is expressed in His law, His promises, and His word. (Psalm 40:8; Romans 2:17, 18: 1 Peter 7:4.)

Examples of Answered Prayer

“During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.” Daniel 2:19.

When Peter was imprisoned and was about to be executed by Herod, what did the church do?

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”  

Acts 12:5.

How were their prayers answered?

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peters wrists.” Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your clock around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to an iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.”  Verses 7-10.

Because Solomon asked for wisdom, rather than for long life and riches, what beside wisdom did God give him?

“So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do as you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” 1 Kings 3:11-13.

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