Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: The Christians

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of answered prayer is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, reflecting the belief that God listens to and responds to the petitions of His people. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how Christians can expect answers to their prayers, emphasizing faith, righteousness, and alignment with God's will.

Biblical Foundations

1. Faith and Belief: The New Testament underscores the importance of faith in receiving answers to prayer. Jesus taught His disciples, "And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (Matthew 21:22). This principle is echoed in the epistle of James, which advises believers to "ask in faith, without doubting" (James 1:6).

2. Righteousness and Obedience: The Bible links the effectiveness of prayer to the righteousness of the individual. James 5:16 states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This suggests that living a life in accordance with God's commandments enhances the likelihood of receiving answers to prayer.

3. 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, "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 what we asked of Him."

4. Persistence in Prayer: Jesus encouraged persistence in prayer through parables such as the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). This teaching highlights the importance of continual prayer and not losing heart, trusting that God will respond in His timing.

Examples of Answered Prayers

1. The Early Church: The book of Acts provides several instances of answered prayers among early Christians. For example, when Peter was imprisoned, the church prayed earnestly for him, and God miraculously delivered him (Acts 12:5-11).

2. Paul's Prayers: The Apostle Paul frequently prayed for the churches and individuals, and he often reported how God answered those prayers. In Philippians 1:19 , Paul expresses confidence that through the prayers of the Philippians and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, his situation will turn out for his deliverance.

3. Personal Testimonies: Throughout Christian history, believers have shared personal testimonies of how God has answered their prayers, reinforcing the biblical teaching that God is attentive to the cries of His people.

Conditions for Answered Prayer

1. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Jesus taught that harboring unforgiveness can hinder prayers. In Mark 11:25 , He instructs, "And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your trespasses."

2. Humility and Repentance: 2 Chronicles 7:14 emphasizes the need for humility and repentance: "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

3. Praying in Jesus' Name: Jesus promised that prayers offered in His name would be answered, as seen in John 14:13-14 : "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

Conclusion

The Bible presents a comprehensive view of prayer as a dynamic interaction between God and His people. Christians are encouraged to approach God with faith, righteousness, and a heart aligned with His will, trusting that He hears and answers their prayers according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 12:5,7
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayerless Christians
... V. PRAYERLESS CHRISTIANS. ... Prayer is intended for God's ear. It is not man, but God
who hears and answers prayer. Prayer covers the whole range of man's need. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/v prayerless christians.htm

How God Answered Donald's Prayer
... faith but a childlike trust in believing that God answers their prayers ... That night
a group of Christians united in asking God for ... God heard my prayer to be saved ...
/.../how god answered donalds prayer.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... really true, why is it that Christians offer up so many prayers without receiving
answers?" The apostle ... blessings so largely promised in answer to prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

First Preface
Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer. ... The first is that children can
be and should be true Christians, that is, have their sins forgiven for ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/first preface.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... not necessary to pray for it, or that it will come whether Christians pray for ... All
the history of the church shows that when God answers prayer, he gives his ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

The Christian Prayer
... there are many recorded and remarkable answers to prayers ... of the Bible and the
experience of Christians are set ... against God hearing and answering prayer is the ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vii the christian prayer.htm

Helps to Intercession
... 3. Answers to Prayer.="More than one little book has been published in which Christians
may keep a register of their petitions, and note when they were ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/helps to intercession.htm

Triumphant Death of a Little Child
Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer. ... The parents were devoted
Christians who had taught their children to love and honor God. ...
/.../triumphant death of a little.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... 9:25-35; and knowing that many before him would as Christians be called ... one whose
garret reminded one of the dream of Jacob; for answers to prayer were so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

Conditions of Effectual Prayer.
... believe that this is the great reason why thousands of Christians pray and never,
get answers. ... Now, I say, God will never answer that wife's prayer for her ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter vii conditions of effectual.htm