Everyone prays with hopes of having their prayers heard and answered. Here are five conditions to getting your prayers answered.
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You must be in right relationship with God
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
The best way to know this answer is whether or not you REALLY want God’s will for your life?
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
If you really love God with all your heart, you’re not going to want to do what displeases Him.
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You must be in right relationship with others
Our horizontal relationships effect our vertical relationship.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:24-25
This includes especially your spouse …
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
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You must be willing to share the results
God blesses us so that we can bless others. Example, you ask God for good health. What are you going to do with that good health, use it all for yourself or are you going to give it back by serving others?
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
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You must believe that God will answer
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 1:6-7
There is only one kind of prayer that God answers, the prayer of faith. Faith if believing that God can and will answer your prayer.
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You must pray in Jesus’ name
Our prayers are not to bring glory to ourselves. Our prayers are for the glory of Christ. How odd would it be to pray, “God give me a million-dollar house and a brand new Lamborghini. In Jesus name and for His sake. Amen.” Is that really in Jesus name and for His sake? This is a great test for the motive behind our prayers.
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. John 14:13-14
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
Randy Harp 