How to Ask God for Answers to Prayers: 9 Keys
- Summary: There is great power in asking God for help. The bible gives us helpful keys to answered prayer when we ask God His way.
James 4:2d-3
- •• A simple statement, but a profound revelation! —
- • “You do not have, because you do NOT ASK God”!
- • You think: “God is too busy with bigger things.”
- • Or: “My prayer request is too insignificant.”
- • Or: “I don’t know if God will answer this request.”
- • But the Bible says, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” Believers often just fail to pray to God and present their petitions to Him. Prayer doesn't have to be fancy. It can be very concise and heartfelt, such as Peter sinking in the fierce storm and crying out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" Your prayer may be as simple as "God, help me!" But do it, say it, ask God!
- •• When motives are proper, there is great power in asking God.
- • It is normal and right for children to ask things of their natural fathers and their heavenly Father.
- • Answered prayer requests should be the regular experience of the family of God.
- •• Key #1 — Determine the WILL OF GOD, then ASK for that.
- • Pray and search the Scriptures for God’s will. Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) to understand His will.
- • There’s great confidence in prayer once you have discerned God’s will.
- • You know that He hears you.
- • You know that you have what you’ve asked. You believe God that your prayers will be answered.
- •• Key #2 — OBEY God’s commands, then ASK your petitions of God.
- •
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. - •
1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. - • There is a direct, cause-and-effect link between obedience and answered prayers.
- • “We receive from Him anything we ask, BECAUSE we OBEY His commands” — cause and effect.
- •
- •• Key #3 — Live a life PLEASING TO GOD, then ASK your petitions of God.
- • Jesus Himself said, (John 8:29) “...I do always those things that please him.”
- • There is great power in petitions to God that originate from a life that pleases God.
- • And the opposite — for example,
1 Peter 3:7 = Dishonor your wife, and your prayers will be hindered.
- •• Key #4 — Walk CLOSE TO JESUS (“remain in me”), then “ASK ... and it will be given you.”
- • For example, imagine asking God for help with His Son Jesus standing at your side and saying the "amen" to your prayer. Christ's presence will give you great confidence.
- •• Key #5 — Be FULL OF THE WORD of God, then ASK of God from that knowledge.
- • “If...my words remain in you, ask...and it will be given you.”
- • Full of God’s Word, your faith to ask will be strong.
- • Full of God’s Word, your confidence will be strong.
- •• Key #6 — We bring our LACKS and NEEDS before God and ASK accordingly.
- • “Lord, I lack wisdom for this situation. Please grant it.”
- • “Lord, I lack finances for necessary expenses. Please help me.”
- • “Lord, my body is in need of healing. Please touch me.”
- •• Key #7 — “ASK IN FAITH, nothing wavering” (KJV).
- • Why not! Jesus promised: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
- • Ask God ... Believe God —> Answered Prayers!
- •• Key #8 — It can be helpful to have a trusted PRAYER PARTNER, someone who will agree with you in prayer.
- • Do this on the personal level — your spouse, a believing relative, a close friend (of the same sex).
- • This is one of the great benefits of the assembled church! You can have other believers agree with you in prayer for your needs.
- •• Key #9 — “KEEP ON asking.” Be importunate! Don't give up.
- • Jesus illustrated this with the man at night persistently asking for bread and the woman insistently pleading her case before the unjust judge.
Summary: Asking God and Experiencing Answered Prayers
1. Determine God’s will, then ask for that.
2. Obey God’s commands, then ask...
3. Live a life pleasing to God, then ask...
4. Walk close to Jesus, then ask...
5. Be full of the Word of God, then ask according to that knowledge.
6. Acknowledge your lacks and needs to God, then ask of Him concerning them.
7. Ask in faith, nothing wavering.
8. Find a fellow believer to be a prayer partner with you.
9. Ask and keep on asking and see your prayers answered!
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Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studies
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.