THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

 

Chapter 16

​

​

​

​

 

How Christian Prayers Are Answered by God

​

​​

Text

2 Cor. 6:1-2  We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

​

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

​​

​​​​Memory Verse

Rom. 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

​

​

Introduction

It is a joy to receive from God what you have asked Him for. Abel prayed and God answered him, and Scripture says that he is still speaking to this day (Heb. 11:4).

​

If we do not get what we expect, it does not mean that we are sinning. Our Father knows everything and always wants what is best for us in the end (Jer. 29:11; Jam. 1:2-4). He knows our needs before we ask (Matt. 6:8). So we trust Him to release the blessing at the right time, when we are ready for it.

​

Objective
To see from Scripture five ways in which God may answer our prayers.

​

Presentation

​

1. We May Get Exactly What We Asked For
Sometimes God gives us the very thing we requested. For example Jonah prayed from inside the fish for a second chance, promised to obey, and God commanded the fish to vomit him out right at Nineveh (Jon. 2:1-10).

​

2. We May Get More Than We Asked For
Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God’s people. Because it lined up with God’s will, God gave him wisdom and wealth and honour (1 Ki. 3:9-13; 1 John 5:14). When your request matches His purpose, He often adds more.

 

3. We May Get an Exchange for What We Asked For
Moses and Aaron asked to enter the promised land, but God said no to that request. Instead, He gave them something better: He forgave them so they could enter the true, heavenly promised land (Heb. 11:10, 39-40).

​

God denied them Canaan so that He could give them Christ. Sometimes “no” is really a “better yes” (Deut. 32:48-52).

​

4. We May Be Asked to Keep Praying, Believing, and Waiting
Jesus told the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 to show that we should never give up. We are told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Some answers come only after persistence and trust are developed in us.

​

5. We May Get “No”
Sometimes God says no because what we have asked will not glorify Him or help us (Jam. 4:1-6). He sees the full picture. A “no” from a loving Father is still an answer, and it is for our good.

​

Conclusion
Every prayer that is in line with God’s will in Christ is answered immediately in heaven. The answer may not show up on earth right away.

​

If it does not, it is because we are waiting for God’s fullness of time, not because He denied us or because we sinned. Trust the timing. He knows what He is doing.
 

​​Evaluation Questions & Answers

​

1. Mention three ways in which God may answer our prayers.

   • Yes, exactly what we asked – like Jonah getting a second chance (Jon. 2:10).

   • More than we asked – like Solomon receiving wisdom plus wealth (1 Ki. 3:13).

   • An exchange – like Moses and Aaron being denied Canaan but welcomed into the heavenly promised land (Heb. 11:40).

   • Other ways include “wait” and “no”. 

2. When do we say a prayer is according to God’s will?

   • When it lines up with Scripture and with the purpose of Christ. Prayers based on God’s Word and for His glory fit this category.

   • 1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

3. Why did God refuse Moses and Aaron entry into the Promised Land?

   • Because of their disobedience at Meribah (Deut. 32:51-52). But the deeper reason was redemptive: God was preparing them for the true promised land, where they would enter by grace through Christ (Heb. 11:39-40).

4. In order that we persist in prayer, what does God do with answers to some of our prayers?

   • He sometimes delays the answer so that we keep praying, believing, and trusting Him (Luke 18:1-8). The delay builds persistence, faith, and maturity in us.

 

 

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Give us grace to trust You even when the answer is wait or no. Help us to pray according to Your will and to rest in Your unfailing care. This is true worship. Amen.

​​                          

​​​​

​​​​