What steps can you take to ensure God hears your prayers? Grasping the Core Truth: John 9:31 “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He listens to the godly man who does His will.” (John 9:31) The verse lays down two clear realities: • God does not heed the unrepentant life. • God eagerly listens to the one who worships Him and walks in His will. Step 1: Come to God through Christ • Salvation is the doorway to a hearing ear with heaven (Acts 4:12). • “In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12) Practical move: Receive Christ and rest your approach to the Father on His finished work alone. Step 2: Keep a Clean Heart • “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) • “Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2) Practical moves: • Make confession a daily rhythm (1 John 1:9). • Turn from known sin immediately. Obedience keeps the line open. Step 3: Live in Obedience • “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29) • “We will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22) Practical moves: • Align your lifestyle with Scripture—integrity at work, purity in relationships, honesty in speech. • Let obedience be prompt, wholehearted, and cheerful. Step 4: Pray According to His Will • “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) • “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Practical moves: • Saturate your mind with God’s Word so His desires shape your requests. • Evaluate each request: Does this honor Christ and advance His kingdom? Step 5: Abide in Faith and Persistence • “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) • “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Practical moves: • Pray expecting God to act; doubt short-circuits communion. • Keep asking, seeking, knocking—persistence is faith in motion. Step 6: Walk in Love • “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.” (James 5:16) Righteousness expresses itself in love: forgiveness, generosity, compassion. Practical moves: • Release grudges quickly. • Serve others; a self-giving life puts hands and feet on your prayers. Putting It All Together 1. Enter God’s presence through faith in Jesus. 2. Confess sin promptly, maintaining a clean heart. 3. Practice daily obedience. 4. Align every request with Scripture’s revealed will. 5. Pray with confident, persevering faith. 6. Let love govern your relationships. These steps describe not a formula but a lifestyle. Walk in them, and Scripture assures you that God’s ear is inclined toward you. |
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