Prayer is how we communicate with our Heavenly Father.

Prayer is a medium through which we seek the face of God for interventions in our lives.

God has given us the gift of prayer to make things easier for us on earth, but many are not making full use of it.

A number of people have complained that their prayers don't get answered. They do it just for religious sake.

Imagine a person who prays to God and always receives answers from God. What relationship do you think such a person will end up having with God?

A very healthy one, of course.

Is it possible for prayers not to be answered?

Oh yes, it is.

As I have always written, the kingdom of God operates on principles. Knowing and following these principles makes life easy for you.

What to Do for Your Prayers to Be Answered

There are some things to take note of in order to have a wonderful time with God in prayer.

1. Be a Child of God

John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

1 Peter 3:12 says, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Another verse says, "The prayer of a sinner is an abomination unto God."

We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

It is important we confess our sins before God and turn away from them before we come to Him in prayer.

There are some hindrances to our prayers, such as unforgiveness, adultery, covetousness, and, in essence, all kinds of sin.

How do you expect God to forgive you when you have not forgiven the people around you?

Remember that God searches the heart, and He knows the intent and purpose of man's heart. So He knows those that are sincere and truly want to turn away from their sins.

These people will get answers from God.

2. We Approach God in Prayer Boldly and with Thanksgiving

We thank Him for all He has done for us and all He will do.

The Word of God says we should enter His gates with thanksgiving and His court, i.e., going further, with praise.

God always waits for our appreciation whenever He does something for us.

Don't take things for granted.

Anytime you see God's hand, don't delay your thanks in order to see greater things.

3. The Kingdom Comes First

Before we get to our needs, it's wisdom to pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Remember how Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6 vs. 9–13.

Vs. 9 – Thanksgiving

Vs. 10 – The Kingdom of God (God's will).

Vs. 11 – This is our supplication, i.e., what we want.

Vs. 12 – Forgiveness so that our prayers can be answered.

Vs. 13 – Protection and then ending with thanksgiving, i.e., you start with thanks and end with thanks.

Ingredients for Prayer

Faith

Apart from thanksgiving, another ingredient we need for our prayers to be answered is faith.

Faith is a potent force that can deliver on its own.

Yes, this is how strong faith is.

It's not about how long we pray or how loud we shout but the faith content in our prayers.

Someone can pray for 1 hour and get no results, while another person can pray for 5 mins and get instant results.

Examples are in the Bible.

When Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead, He didn't waste much time because His faith level was up to the task at hand.

Also, when Elijah called fire from Heaven, he didn't waste time.

Prayer is not one-sided. Whenever we pray, we should listen to the instruction God has for us.

His instruction may or may not be palatable, and it's only until we obey His instructions before we can see results.

Furthermore, in most cases, what people pray for needs just obedience.

If we obey God, we won’t need to pray about such matters.

Another secret to answered prayers is praying for others.

You can't make things happen for others and God will not also make the same happen for you.

It's still under the covenant of sowing and reaping.

Make a list of the things you are believing God for. Rather than pray for yourself, locate those people in the same shoe as yours and pray for them.

In no time, you will see results.

An example is Job. When he prayed for his friends, God turned his captivity around (Job 42:10).

We can also see this with Abraham (Genesis 20 vs. 17–18, Genesis 21 vs. 1–2).

When believers are new in Christ, i.e., baby Christians, things work out easily for them.

Whatever they ask God for is done sharp.

They have various encounters with God that make them love God even more.

To Get Something Better, You Need to Do Something More

As they begin to grow in Christ, things begin to change.

God still answers them, but more is needed to get the same results you were getting before.

This is because God needs us to grow.

He is a loving Father and has wonderful things in store for us. Only those who are mature in Christ can access such things.

In order for us to be part of this, He teaches us the more matured way of getting things done rather than giving it to us on a platter of gold.

If we keep receiving things from God without making efforts on our part, we are not likely to grow and access the perfect gifts God has for us.

Bible Reading for Believers

Hebrews 5:13–14 says:

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The next time you see a new convert who is struggling in one area or the other, feeling discouraged that God is not responding to them the way He normally does, the answer is: they need to do more; they need to grow.

There are things we must do to bring God's hand into our situation.

It is important that we play our part.

This is done together with faith in God and His Word and patience.

We are also to obey every instruction He gives us, either in His Word or through our personal encounter.

New believers should start with the Word of God.

This opens their eyes to the truth of who they are in Christ.

They can also follow men/women of God who have proofs in their lives by reading their books, listening to tapes, etc.

These men and women have sometimes had to pay for the revelations at work in their lives through prayer and fasting, which we now access on a platter of gold.

We could also be imparted by reading anointed books.

On a Final Note

That one has been born again for 40 years does not equal the result he or she receives in Heaven.

Receiving rewards in Heaven is not about how many years you know God.

It is about how many years you've worked actively with Him in promoting His kingdom on earth.