The bible is clear to tell us that God answers prayer:

Read Matthew 7, verse 8:

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

But, does this mean that the answers to your prayers will always be “yes?”   Or that the answer will come quickly and in the form that you will expect?

Some Truths About Answer to Prayer

1.        The answer to prayer will be in accordance with God’s will.  God only wants what is good for us.  Sometimes we want things for ourselves that we think are good for us, but really aren’t.   Read Romans 8: 26-27.

 2.       Many times the answer to prayer is just what we have asked for.  But sometimes the answer to prayer will be “no.”   Read the story of Lazarus.  The sisters of Lazarus wanted Jesus to heal him, but Jesus did not.  Lazarus died, and the sisters did not understand.  But Jesus was in the process of doing something much more wonderful, so that God would be glorified.  Read John 11: 1-45.

 Thank God that you don’t get everything you ask for!  Did you ever read about someone who won the lottery, only to have their lives fall apart afterward?   Sometimes God works in us through the “no” moments  of our lives. 

 3.       Sometimes the answer to prayer will be “Wait.”  When this happens, keep on praying.  God may be preparing you for the answer which he will reveal to you when the time is right.  Read Luke 18: 1-5.

 4.       Sometimes we will not understand God’s answer.  We think in earthly ways, but God is much greater than we are.   Read Isaiah 55: 8-9.

 5.       Sin separates us from God, and can affect how God answers our prayers.  Read James 4: 2-3.