Unlocking The Keys to Answered Prayer

What are the reasons why people fail to receive from God?

James 4:2 says,“You have not because you ask not.” We must pray for what we desire from God. God will not intrude upon us or interrupt our lives without our permission. If God operated that way, He would force everyone in the world to be saved. Jesus said, “For your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.” (Matt 6:8) Yet, He patiently waits for us to ask.

People often don’t receive from God because they ask incorrectly. James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask incorrectly, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” God won’t grant requests that are immoral, illegal, or unscriptural. Prayer should align with God’s Word and will, not personal desires.

Thirdly, James tells us that unbelieving prayer is unanswered prayer. James 1:6-7 says, “But let him ask in faith, without 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.”

Doubt is the greatest enemy to the prayer of faith. Many people are ready to pray for God’s promises, but they are not prepared to resist doubt.The key to answered prayers is unwavering faith.

The scriptures promise that if we pray in faith, we can always expect an answer. Here’s what Jesus, James, and John had to say about prayer:

James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”

And Jesus said this in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

John says, “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)

This wisdom leads to some helpful steps that will help you pray the prayer of faith:

First, find scriptures that promise what you desire. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Be certain of God’s will by studying the scriptures!

Secondly, ask God for it. You can do this alone, or you can pray with others. In Matthew 18:19, Jesus said, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” You pray in agreement with other believers or even call on the elders of the church. (James 5:14)

Lastly, it’s important to believe you receive when you pray. Remember what we read earlier in Mark 11:24, and don’t let unbelief rob you! Many are ready to pray and receive their answer, but how many are ready to believe they have received it, even when they haven’t experienced it yet?

People often rush and don’t prepare themselves to believe they receive when they pray. They trust God to answer but quickly move on if it doesn’t happen immediately.

You may need to spend more time in God’s word, meditating on His promises, as Proverbs 4:20-22 says: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” 

When the Word of God is more real to you than anything around you, you are “believing you have received!

Free MP3s: The Key to Answered Prayer

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Jesus said, “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Any believer can pray the prayer of faith and receive their answer from God by following Jesus’ simple instructions concerning prayer. In this series you’ll learn why some prayers aren’t effective and how to pray the prayer of faith and receive God’s best blessings in your life.