Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is the means by which believers communicate with God. It is an expression of faith, dependence, and devotion. The Bible emphasizes that prayer should be offered with a sincere desire to be answered, reflecting a heart that earnestly seeks God's will and intervention.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that underscore the importance of praying with the expectation of an answer. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself encourages believers to pray with faith and anticipation. In Matthew 21:22 , Jesus states, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." This verse highlights the necessity of faith in prayer, suggesting that a genuine belief in God's ability and willingness to respond is crucial.

Similarly, in Mark 11:24 , Jesus teaches, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." This passage reinforces the idea that prayer should be accompanied by a confident expectation of God's response. The act of believing is not merely a mental assent but a deep-seated trust in God's promises and character.

Old Testament Examples

The Old Testament also provides rich examples of individuals who prayed with a desire to be answered. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is a poignant example. In 1 Samuel 1:10-11 , Hannah prays fervently for a child, pouring out her soul before the Lord. Her prayer is marked by a deep longing and a vow to dedicate her child to God's service. Her earnestness and faith are rewarded when God answers her prayer, granting her a son.

King David, known for his heartfelt prayers, often expressed a strong desire for God's intervention. In Psalm 5:3 , David declares, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." David's approach to prayer is characterized by a confident anticipation of God's response, demonstrating his trust in God's faithfulness.

The Role of Faith and Righteousness

The Bible teaches that faith and righteousness play significant roles in ensuring that prayers are answered. James 5:16 states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse suggests that the effectiveness of prayer is linked to the righteousness of the individual, implying that a life aligned with God's will enhances the likelihood of receiving answers.

Furthermore, Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith: "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." This passage underscores the importance of approaching God with a heart full of faith, trusting in His ability to respond to the prayers of His people.

Practical Implications

For believers, the call to pray with a desire to be answered involves cultivating a heart of faith, aligning one's will with God's, and maintaining a posture of expectancy. It requires a deep trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, recognizing that His answers may come in unexpected ways or times. The practice of prayer, therefore, becomes not only a request for divine intervention but also an exercise in growing closer to God and understanding His purposes.

In summary, prayer in the Christian life is not a mere ritual but a dynamic interaction with the Creator. It is to be offered with a sincere desire for an answer, rooted in faith and righteousness, and marked by an expectant heart that trusts in God's perfect will.Psalm 27:7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also on me, and answer me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 102:2
Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear to me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 108:6
That your beloved may be delivered: save with your right hand, and answer me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 143:1
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Prayer of Faith.
... Suppose a Christian should pray for a revival here"he ... church shows that when God
answers prayer, he gives ... the very thing for which their prayers are offered. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

Home Dedication.
... Like the Hebrew mother, we should at least devote one ... you may be assured that God
will answer your prayer. ... thus, of old, a babe was offered up" Young Samuel ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter x home dedication.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... whom he had had to smite, and offered himself a ... Moses' prayer sounds presumptuous,
but it was heard unblamed, and ... Rather we should hear in his cry the voice of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... ask; for some prayers would never be offered if men ... years he has declared that God
hears prayer, and firm ... her griefs as an argument why God should return and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... undone, but prayer shall and must be offered at the ... with the Gospel, except that
the prayer of a ... They should else have witnessed a far different tragedy, namely ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... to our Father, and to those who have offered prayer in her ... I believe it is God's
will that I should tell you ... and prayed with me, and God heard prayer and saved ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

The Power of Prayer
... was led to pray that if GOD should give him a ... was very interesting then to know how
prayer offered before my ... early years of learning the value of prayer and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter i the power of.htm

Internal Affective Prayer of Contemplation Hath Always Been ...
... prayer to which God had brought him, he offered to apply ... to be their chiefest honour
that God should be most ... that this fashion of prayer calls souls from the ...
/.../chapter vii internal affective prayer.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... His own prayers had not been offered without thanksgiving; what God hath ... mind of
God: it never was the intent of prayer that it should attempt anything of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

Prayer and Labor for the Gathering of the Great Harvest.
... this His life was ready to be offered; therefore, He ... college who never give themselves
to prayer for the conversion of the world, lest God should send them ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xix prayer and labor for.htm

Questions about Prayer (All) | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

What is a prayer circle? | GotQuestions.org

Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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