Answered Prayer: Receiving from God Through Faith and Alignment

Have you ever wondered why your prayers don’t seem to be answered?

Every believer longs for their prayers to be met with a “Yes” from God. In this post, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about prayer, how to align our hearts with God’s will, and how to pray in a way that always draws us closer to Him.

What Does Scripture Say?

The first step in praying successfully is to know God’s Word. Everything we need to understand about our relationship with Him is found there.

I often read from the American Standard Version (ASV) because it’s a close, word-for-word translation of the original manuscripts. However, it’s also helpful to study more readable versions like the NIV, NASB, or NLT, which better capture the cultural context of the Bible’s authors.

Here are a few verses that reveal how to receive from the Lord through prayer:

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.”

— Jeremiah 33:3 (ASV)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

— Matthew 7:7–8 (ASV)

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ASV)

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

— Luke 11:11–13 (ASV)

“Trust in Jehovah, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight thyself also in Jehovah; and He will give thee the desires of thy heart.”

— Psalm 37:3–4 (ASV)

Understanding These Scriptures

These verses are only a glimpse into what the Bible says about prayer. Scripture often connects truth across different books and generations — as if God wove a divine thread through time. When we study the Word deeply, we begin to see how one verse builds upon another, revealing His full message.

Let’s explore the context behind a few of these passages:

• Jeremiah 33:3 – Jeremiah was imprisoned while Jerusalem was under siege. Despite everything going wrong, God said, “Call to Me, and I will answer you.” Even in chaos, God reminded Jeremiah that He listens and responds.

• Matthew 7:7–8 – During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus promised that all who ask, seek, and knock will receive, find, and have doors opened. Even when prayers seem unanswered, His promise stands true — God always answers according to His perfect wisdom.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Paul encouraged the persecuted church to keep praying and rejoicing. Prayer isn’t about comfort; it’s about trust and perseverance.

• Luke 11:11–13 – Jesus compared God’s goodness to that of earthly parents. If flawed fathers give good gifts, how much more will our perfect Father bless His children?

• Psalm 37:3–4 – David taught believers not to envy the success of the wicked. When we delight in God, He reshapes our desires — and then fulfills them in His time.

Applying These Truths

1. Remember: God Knows What’s Best.

God sees what we cannot. Sometimes, an unanswered prayer is divine protection. Like a loving Father, He will never give us something He knows would harm us.

2. Align Your Desires With His Will.

To pray effectively, your heart must reflect God’s heart. As you grow in faith, your prayers begin to sound more like, “God, give me what You know I need.”

When your desires align with His, your prayers will always be answered according to His purpose (1 John 5:14–15).

3. Prayer Isn’t a Shortcut to Prosperity.

God wants you to prosper, but spiritual growth always comes first. In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus teaches that God rewards those who use what He’s already given them.

When others are blessed, celebrate them — jealousy grieves the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:20–30).

4. Pray in Every Season.

Prayer isn’t only for hard times. God wants daily fellowship with you.

Say “Good morning, Lord,” and “I love You,” throughout the day. Prayer is a relationship, not a ritual.

The Secret to Successful Prayer

The key to answered prayer is simple but profound: trust and believe God and His Word.

You can’t truly submit to God without submitting to Scripture. If we resist His Word, it often reveals a heart issue or misunderstanding of the text. As my mentor says:

“To know what the Scriptures mean today, we have to know what they meant when they were written.”

When you fully trust and believe God — when you take Him at His Word — He shapes your desires to reflect His own. And when that happens, He gives you the desires of your heart.

My Testimony

I once ran far from God — a sinner among sinners. Yet He welcomed me when no one else would. Through His Word, I discovered who Jesus truly is, and I surrendered everything to Him.

Since then, I’ve witnessed miracles, heard His voice, and experienced peace I never knew before.

Every answered prayer, every blessing, every ounce of joy — all of it belongs to Him.

To God be the glory forever.

Final Thoughts

Prayer isn’t about convincing God to do what we want — it’s about transforming our hearts until we want what He wants.

When you know His Word, trust His character, and align your will with His, your prayers will always be answered — through provision, protection, or preparation for something greater.

Keep seeking. Keep trusting. Keep praying.

He hears every word.

✝️ 

Want to Grow Deeper in Prayer?

Enter your email found at the bottom of the page for more faith-building insights, or check out my book It’s Time to Be Done: An Allegory of the Flesh, where I explore spiritual surrender in greater depth.