Jesus and answered prayers

“Everyone who asks receives”

In Luke chapter 11, Jesus said clearly that we are to ask and it shall be given to us, for everyone who asks receives. This is a hard truth to digest because sometimes we pray and our prayers don’t get answered. Does that mean that the scriptures lie? 

The beauty of the Bible is that we can find an answer to every question we have within its text, but before we get to that…

What is prayer?

Prayer is a platform of fellowship for the believer. In the place of prayer, we are brought before the throne room of God and are able to commune with Him. It is the oxygen of our spiritual life. Without prayer, we die. It’s the place where we can be alone with God, hear His voice and get to know His heart.

There are various kinds and assignments to prayer that are important to know, but first we must understand that prayer is not limited to a specific individual. Prayer is not just for a minister or senior leadership, God has made a way for us all to come to Him in the place of prayer.

So, if everyone who asks receives, why don’t my prayers get answered? 

The scriptures show us that there are conditions to receiving answered prayers. 

Asking in the name of Jesus

John 14:13-14 - 'And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.'

Jesus told us in John 14 that we are to ask in His name and then it will be done.

Why?

Because the only way to get to the throne of the Father, where all decisions are made and verdicts are given, is by the Son. Jesus is the only way to the Father. If we don’t come through the gate, who is Jesus, Jesus said we are theives and robbers. You wont’t receive from the King if you don’t approach Him through the proper channels. We ask everything to God the Father in the name of Jesus.

Praying in faith

James 1:6-7 - ‘But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;’

James tells us we must pray in faith!

He tells us that if we ask God for anything but we doubt in our hearts that He will give it to us, we can’t expect to receive it.

Power meets faith! 

Praying according to His will

1 John 5:14-15 - '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.'

The apostle John has revealed to us another layer of answered prayers: praying according to the will of God.

A lot of times, it may be hard to discern God’s will for your life, which may make this point feel like a stumbling block, but I’ll tell you a well-known secret. There are two ways to be confident you are praying the will of God: 

1. Praying scriptures 

2. Praying in the Spirit 

When we pray the scriptures, we pray God’s word back to Him. Like Isaiah 43:26 says, we put God into remembrance of His word and the promises He’s spoken.

Secondly, when we pray in the Spirit, it’s the Spirit helping our spirits to pray the perfect will of God. 

Romans 8:26 - 'Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. '

It’s important we spend considerable amount of time praying in the Spirit, especially if we are unsure of the will of God, because the Spirit will help us to pray God’s will and reveal to us the heart of the Father concerning the situation. 

Aligning our prayer points with kingdom come

Luke 11:2 - 'So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.'

Many times, we are praying for things that have nothing to do with God’s agenda on the Earth.

It’s easy to find scriptures that, for example, mention financial prosperity. God desires to meet your needs because He is our good Shepherd. The state of our welfare is a revealer and a reflector of the state of His care. That being said, going to God and asking for a billion dollars “so you can be wealthy and provide for your needs”, is too small a reason for Him to give it to you. He’s not opposed to wealth, King Solomon was wealthy and God was with Him. He’s opposed to greed. 

The quickest way to purify our desires is by aligning them with kingdom come. The assignment of God’s power is to establish His will. If He can’t find how it will support His program, He has no obligation to provide an answer to the prayer. We must align our prayers to God’s desires.

For example, this is a prayer point about prosperity that aligns with kingdom come. 

“Lord Jesus, I thank you. Thank you for all that you have done for me and all you have already provided for me. Everything I need, you have been faithful to supply. Jesus, I thank you for your word says in Deuteronomy 8:18, that I should remember you, for you give me the power to get wealth. I acknowledge you as my Lord today and thank you that you will give me the power to get wealth. Lord, you know I am struggling financially, so I ask you for your wisdom and open doors. Lord, I also desire to finance your program here on Earth. I want to bear the financial burden of crusades and house missionaries. I promise to remember that I am only a steward and everything you give me belongs to you. Help me Lord this day and reveal to me your heart. In Jesus name, Amen”.

Do you see how not only have you come to Him with thanksgiving and honour, but you’ve highlighted to God that you care about the things He cares about and not just satisfying your own desires? 

If this is not where you’re at right now, ask Him to bring you there and to give you a heart that cares for what He cares about. We cannot manipulate the hand of God, he knows the genuineness of our heart.

There are some circumstances when you feel you’ve done all these things and yet the prayers aren’t answered! In those situations, all we can do is trust that God knows best and that all things, even the super painful things, work together for the good of those who love God. Suffering, disappointment and pain happen to everyone in this world. It’s always better to go through it with Jesus. 

The truth about Jesus is that He answers our prayers. Most answers to prayer come in seed form. Maybe you've already received your answer, you just haven’t identified it yet! When we come in His blood, by His name, and according to His will, He hears and answers. We don’t pray to a dead God! Jesus is the door and the gateway. We come to the Father through the Son.