It is important to understand that God does not answer every prayer. Just as not all job applications are accepted during a recruitment process, not all prayers receive a positive response. You may be one of a thousand applicants, yet only 100 might be accepted. Every recruitment announcement includes specific conditions to fulfill and required documents to provide. Submitting the application is one step; being accepted is another.

An application that lacks the necessary documents or fails to meet the conditions will simply be rejected. Your prayer is like an application you submit to God, and it must adhere to certain rules and principles for it to be answered.

So, what kind of prayer does God answer?

I. THE PRAYER BASED ON HIS WILL

We have this confidence in Him: 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.“ 1 John 5:14-15

A person’s will reflects their wishes, desires, or testament. Similarly, God has a will that we must respect if we want our prayers to be answered.

1. Pray According to God’s Word

God’s Word expresses His will and is written in the Bible, which serves as His testament to His children. Anyone who wants their prayers answered must base them on what is written in this testament. God answers prayers rooted in His Word.

“The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.‘” Jeremiah 1:12

God fulfills His Word; He answers prayers based on it. The duration of your prayer does not determine its answer but what you say in your prayer does. While long prayers are not discouraged, even a one-minute prayer rooted in God’s Word can be answered, whereas a day-long prayer not based on His Word may remain unanswered.

God does not respond to tears or cries but to prayers grounded in His Word. There is a verse in the Bible for every situation you face—find it and declare, “God, You said this in Your Word; now fulfill it for me.“ Someone in the Bible has likely faced a similar challenge; search the Scriptures, find the relevant passage, and present it to God.

“Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.“
(Isaiah 43:26)

The phrase “Review the past for me” means, “Remind me of My Word, of what I’ve said regarding your situation or need.” God does not forget what He has promised; remind Him and ask for its fulfillment.

“‘The Lord has spoken, and I will not relent or change My mind.’“ Jeremiah 4:28

If God has spoken concerning your situation, He will act. Search the Scriptures for verses that address your problem and present them to Him, trusting that He will honor His Word.

2. Pray for Others

Praying for others aligns with God’s will. Whether you pray for your family, friends, church, or community, such prayers honor God and reflect His will, making them the kind He answers.

Do not only pray for yourself. Pray for others, and you will also reap the benefits of your prayers. God cannot address someone else’s problem through your prayers without addressing yours as well.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.“ Proverbs 11:25

When you bless others through prayer, you also receive blessings.

“Give, and it will be given to you: a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.“ Luke 6:38

Prayers for others are like seeds sown—you will eventually enjoy the harvest. Job experienced this principle when he prayed for his friends.

“The Lord restored Job’s fortunes when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before.“ Job 42:10

This truth applies to us all: what God did for Job, He can do for you.

Many prayers remain unanswered because they are self-centered. If you face difficulties, remember that others do too. Pray for their struggles, and as you do, God will answer both your prayers and theirs.

This excerpt is from the book “GOD CANNOT NOT ANSWER YOU” written by Paul TOZE.

We invite you to read the next article: “HOW TO OVERCOME DOUBT?”