What prayers does God answer?

Prayer is spending time with God!” — Philip Yancey —

Answered and unanswered prayer

Many people think that answered prayer is when God grants us a request we have asked of Him. So if our request is not granted, it is then considered to be an “unanswered” prayer. However, this shows an incorrect understanding of prayer.

God actually answers every prayer directed to Him. There are times when God does not answer with a “yes,” but with a “no” or even a “wait.” God only promises to grant our prayers when we ask according to His will. “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 John 5:14–15, NASB).

Praying according to God’s will

Praying according to God’s will is praying for things that honor and glorify God as well as praying for what the Bible clearly reveals to be God’s will. If we pray for something that is not honoring to God or is not God’s will for our lives, then God will not give us what we ask for.

How can we know what God’s will is? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it. James 1:5 tells us, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The Bible also gives us many details about what God’s will is, for example, 1 Thessalonians 5:12–25 details many things that are God’s will for us:

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us.

That is praying according to God’s will. That is what He wants us to pray for. So, for example, when you pray against the evil in our society, pray for patience for yourself, or pray for your pastor, you know you are praying the way God wants you to.

Prayers God answers

The better we understand God’s word, the better we will know what to pray for. John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” The better we know God and His Word, the better we know what to pray for and the more often God will answer “yes” to our requests.