Topical Bible: God Answering Prayers

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Introduction

The concept of God answering prayers is a central theme in Christian theology and practice. It reflects the belief in a personal and responsive God who engages with His creation and listens to the petitions of His people. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how God answers prayers, emphasizing His sovereignty, wisdom, and love.

Biblical Foundations

1. Old Testament Examples

· Hannah's Prayer: In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah, who was barren, prayed earnestly for a child. God answered her prayer, and she bore a son, Samuel, who would become a significant prophet in Israel. This narrative illustrates God's compassion and His ability to intervene in personal circumstances. "So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked for him from the LORD'" (1 Samuel 1:20).

· Solomon's Wisdom: In 1 Kings 3, Solomon prayed for wisdom to govern Israel. God granted his request, demonstrating that He answers prayers aligned with His will and purpose. "So God said to him, 'Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart...'" (1 Kings 3:11-12).

2. New Testament Teachings

· Jesus on Prayer: Jesus taught extensively about prayer, encouraging His followers to pray with faith and persistence. In Matthew 7:7-8, He assures believers of God's readiness to respond: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" .

· The Early Church: The book of Acts records instances where God answered the prayers of the early Christians. For example, in Acts 12, the church prayed earnestly for Peter's release from prison, and God miraculously delivered him. "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him" (Acts 12:5).

Principles of Answered Prayer

1. Faith and Trust: The Bible emphasizes the importance of faith in prayer. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" .

2. Alignment with God's Will: Prayers that align with God's will are more likely to be answered. 1 John 5:14-15 assures believers, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: 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 already possess what we have asked of Him" .

3. Persistence and Patience: Jesus taught the value of persistence in prayer through parables such as the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). Believers are encouraged to continue in prayer, trusting in God's timing and wisdom.

4. Righteousness and Obedience: The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. James 5:16 states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail" . Living a life in obedience to God enhances the efficacy of one's prayers.

Challenges and Misunderstandings

1. Unanswered Prayers: Not all prayers are answered in the way believers expect. God's wisdom and understanding surpass human comprehension, and His answers may come in different forms—sometimes as a "no" or "wait."

2. The Role of Suffering: Suffering and trials can lead to deeper reliance on God and more fervent prayer. Romans 8:28 reminds believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" .

3. The Mystery of God's Sovereignty: While God invites His people to pray, His sovereign will ultimately prevails. This mystery calls for humility and trust in His perfect plan.

Topical Bible Verses

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:
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Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
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Acts 2:22
You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:
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Acts 3:22
For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brothers, like to me; him shall you hear in all things whatever he shall say to you.
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2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
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Library

God's Family.
... He allows that God seems to put off answering them, but assures us he will answer
them speedily. Even now he must be busy answering their prayers; increasing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/gods family.htm

The Praying that Glorifies God
... mind that the primary purpose of Christ in answering prayer is ... our faith and the
fervency of our prayers determine the ... I am persuaded that God does not impart a ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 4 the praying that.htm

God's Jewels.
... Then, instead of answering her husband's question, the wife ... My sisters, God would
have you who are mothers to ... child of so many tears and prayers should perish. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxiii gods jewels.htm

Faith of Sinners in Prayer
... men in prayer, and the great confidence they had in the prayers of praying ... unbelievers
when it came to the question of the existence of a prayer-answering God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/xi faith of sinners in.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... A SKEPTIC OVERPOWERED. "More and more God is pouring out His Spirit, gloriously
answering your prayers and ours. I have been constantly ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

"Getting Things from God"
... Then, too, we must remember that many of our prayers, though always heard ... could have
been written to the glory of God's grace and power in answering prayer. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/i getting things from god.htm

A Battle with Smallpox
... The congregation was exposed before he knew what was the matter, but God overruled,
answering the prayers of his children to protect all in attendance. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xx a battle with.htm

Parable of the Importunate Widow.
... without discouragement, and this promise to answer with all speed, God's patience
with the wicked, and his consequent delays in answering the prayers of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcvi parable of the importunate.htm

Of those who Fancy That, on Account of the Saints' Intercession ...
... Or shall God refuse to listen to so many of His beloved children, when their holiness
has purged their prayers of all hindrance to His answering them? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 18 of those who fancy.htm

Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... to God in their praying. God wants, and must have, all that there is in
man in answering his prayers. He must have whole-hearted ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/i prayer takes in the.htm