Pastor Alvin Simpkins
Getting answers to prayer is not a mystery reserved for a few, but a promise extended to every believer who approaches God according to His Word and a life of daily obedience. The Bible reveals clear principles that position us to receive from God. Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) states: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Prayer is not merely speaking into the air; it is communion with a faithful Father who hears and responds to your daily requests.
First, faith is essential. Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” Faith is the confidence that God not only can answer, but will answer according to His will. When we pray doubting, we undermine our expectation. But when we pray believing, we align with God’s nature as a rewarder. Our heavenly Father is looking for people who will believe Him and pray daily in faith. Praying with a relentless consistency to not quit or give up. A faith that sees tomorrow today.
Second, we must pray according to God’s will. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” God’s will is revealed through His Word. The more we know Scripture, the more accurately we can pray. Praying the Word ensures that we are not asking amiss, but in agreement with God’s promises. Psalm 138:2 says, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
Third, obedience plays a critical role. 1 John 3:22 teaches that we receive from Him “because we keep his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” A lifestyle of obedience keeps our hearts aligned with God and removes barriers that hinder our prayers. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”
Fourth, persistence is necessary. Jesus taught in Luke 18:1 (KJV) that men ought always to pray and not faint. Answers do not always come immediately, but persistence demonstrates trust. Delays are not denials; they are often part of God’s process of developing faith and endurance. We must pray on time, pray on target, and pray on truth.
Finally, we must ask in the name of Jesus. John 14:13-14 promises that whatever we ask in His name, He will do. The name of Jesus represents His authority and finished work. It is through Him that we have access to the Father. In His name, we must ask that everything hindering or holding up our answers be removed immediately. This is why we must stop and pray now.
In conclusion, answered prayer flows from faith, alignment with God’s will, obedience, persistence, and the authority of Jesus’ name. When these principles are applied, believers can pray with confidence, knowing that God hears and responds. Prayer then becomes not just a discipline, but a powerful pathway to experiencing God’s intervention and provision in everyday life. Pray Now.