One of the ultimate expressions of faith is prayer. It’s a method to communicate with God and tell him how you really feel. However, there are instances when it appears as though God is ignoring our prayers, leaving us feeling down and discouraged. There are, thankfully, steps you may take to increase the likelihood that your prayers will be heard. We’ve compiled a list of five secrets that are guaranteed to have your prayers heard.
Five Secrets to an Answered Prayer
- His Will Must Become Your Will
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him” 1 John 5:14-15
Keep in mind that God controls everything and has the overall picture in mind. Thus, even if it seems as though nothing is happening and your prayers aren’t being answered, you can be assured that God is still active on your behalf, acting in accordance with His perfect timing and ultimate wisdom. Oftentimes, God’s will conflicts with our own. If you pray and feel like God isn’t responding, it may be because your intentions aren’t in line with what God wants.
- Remain Pure of Heart
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
It’s possible to approach God at times when your intentions aren’t entirely right. If our lifestyles have not been pleasing to God, we cannot boldly come to Him and expect to receive what we ask for. Instead, we must repent, making a firm decision to turn from our sinful ways and embrace God’s way of obedience. You should evaluate whether or not your current goals and actions still reflect God’s will for you.
- You Have to Be Willing to Wait
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8
Prayer is frequently a process that may not always deliver immediate results. The waiting process will disclose your genuine intentions for prayer. Have patience with yourself and with God, and realize that all answers arrive eventually. Even if you don’t notice an immediate change, you should continue praying every day. You can as well use verse of the day to encourage you in your daily prayer with God. Perform your duties and have faith that God will act in accordance with His own timetable.
- Believe That He Will Answer Your Prayers
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7
One of the most important factors in having your prayers answered is having faith or the firm conviction that God is God and does, in fact, hear and answer prayer. You need to believe wholeheartedly in God’s existence, His promises, His love, and His boundless ability to answer your prayers if you want Him to do so.
- Pray in the Name of Jesus
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
If you pray to the Lord in Jesus’ name, He promises to hear and answer your prayers. By saying “in the name of Jesus” at the end of your prayers to God, you are obeying Jesus’ mandate and making use of a special privilege he has given you.
Conclusion
Prayer is a great way to connect with God and bring your concerns to Him in times of need. It is, however, a process that may not always produce immediate effects. If you keep praying and submitting your will to God, He will answer those prayers. Continue to ask God for what you need, and know that He will answer you when the time is right. Consider checking out the Bible Portal if you’re in need of some direction in your devotional practice.