Sometimes we receive letters where people say they have prayed and prayed but have not received an answer from God. Why would someone pray and not get an answer from God? Does God favor some people over others? Is He a respecter of persons? Does He only answer the prayers of the important people?
Why does it seem some prayers don’t get answered?
In James 1:5, the Bible says if anyone lacks wisdom then all they have to do is to ask God, who gives to all liberally and He will give them wisdom. But it goes on to say when we ask God for something, we must ask Him in faith. And in verse 6 it says if we don’t ask in faith, then we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
What does this mean? Well, it means what it says. If we pray to God and we do not pray in faith, we should not expect to receive anything. When we pray, if we expect to receive what we are praying for, we must pray in faith.
We must believe we have received what we have requested. We must believe God will do what He said He would do in His Word. And not only must we believe Him, but we must act on that belief. To pray in faith means we are not affected by what we see. We are to walk by faith and not by sight.
For example, if we have a physical need, we should take God’s Word and believe it. What did He say in His Word about sickness? Well, in Psalm 103:3 the Bible says God is the one who heals all our diseases.
Is God’s Word true or is it a lie? Does God heal our diseases or doesn’t He? Do we believe the Word or do we believe the world? Many people never see the miracle power of God because they believe what they see instead of what God said.
Here’s the point. When we have a request, we can petition God in prayer and He will meet our needs. But according to the Bible, He only answers our petitions when we pray in faith.
Also, we must pray His will.
First John 5:14 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
But how can we pray the will of God with confidence? We must pray in the spirit. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:15, “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.”
What did Paul mean? He meant we are to be balanced in our prayers. There is a time to pray in the understanding and there is a time to pray in the spirit.
When we pray in the spirit, we pray the will of God because the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, He will only pray the will of God.
Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit (referring to the Holy Spirit), helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
So, here we have it. You can have your prayers answered every time by doing this. Pray the will of God and pray in faith.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.