5 Steps to Getting Your Prayers Answered!

Have you ever prayed and prayed about something and still not get the answer or the breakthrough you so desperately need? 

You read the bible, you pray and even fast from your favorite food just to hear from God.  You can’t seem to understand why God is still not answering you.  Why are you still in this same place you were this time last year?  Everyone you ask about it just says “keep praying”. 
You are just like, huh! I just don’t get it!

Hey, this is not abnormal. 

How to pray effectively is a common question for some Christians.  The solution is found in 5 simple steps.  Many times, we take the first or second step in the process, but miss steps 3 to 5.  Then soon after, you expect God to open the floodgates and blow your mind with answers. 

But listen this will not happen if you miss a step.  Many of you are not clear on these steps because no one has sat you down to teach them to you or you have not studied what the bible says about prayer.  Remember the bible is our blueprint for life.  Your answer and direction is found in scripture.  We just make it difficult by attempting to mix the “world’s” perspective of prayer with what God says we must do. 

Now, grab a notepad and pen and take good notes.  We are about to share with you 5 Steps to Gett Your Prayers Answered. 

Are you ready?  Ok, let’s go.

The blueprint is found in Mark 11: 22-25.
 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

In this scripture, we find the 5 steps.  Do you see them?  Ok, let's walk through each one.

Step One: You must have faith in God.  Are you a believer?  Do you truly believe that there is a God who rules and reins?  Do you believe that you are a sinner who has been saved by God’s grace?  Romans 10:9 says If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Your faith must be in God and not in “what” you are seeking God to do through prayer.

Step Two: You must not pray with selfish motives or ambitions.  What is your heart’s desire?  Will it only bless you, your spouse and your family?  James 4:3 says When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.  For example, if you are praying God, please help my spouse to be more active in church, join a small group, find friends, learn to cook…. then our marriage would be better.  This example is not considered bad prayers, but it is what YOU want.  You are putting God in a box.  A better way to express this in prayer is to desire what God has for your spouse.  God’s plan and purpose for your life and your spouse is so much greater than we can even imagine.  God knows what your spouse needs and what they can handle.  Isiah 55:8 says “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”  This means God knows best!

Step Three: Your prayers must be for the building up of God’s Kingdom.  Will your prayer benefit God’s people? Does your request align with God’s purpose for your life?  To build up God’s Kingdom, you must be obedient and surrender to God’s Word.  That’s where you will find direction.  John 14:21 says “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  May God’s will be done!

Step Four: You must not hold a grudge with others.  Have you forgiven them?  You can’t come to God with your request if you have not forgiven your spouse or anyone else who has wronged you.   Forgiveness is a process where you are accepting the reality of what happened and finding a way to live in a state of resolution.  Forgiveness is not something you do for others.  It is a process you do for yourself.  Ephesians 4:32 says Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Step Five: You must pray with specificity and not doubt.  Do you know what the Word says about your request?  Praying with specificity builds your faith and confidence in God’s Word and will for your life.  If you believe and know what the Word says about your situation then your prayers become ignited with great power.  Review the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-14 to gain a better understanding for praying with specificity.  James 1:6 says, but when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

Following these 5 Steps will get you on the right path for your prayers to be answered.  Be sure to study the scripture lessons we have mentioned and ask God for wisdom as you pray.
 
Until Next Time, Live in Peace!
-Billy & Yolanda

P.S.- Want to engage with like-minded couples?  Connect with the community of Kingdom Power Couples HERE!  Kingdom Power Couples have one focus in mind and that is reverse the stigma of marriage as the "world" sees it and radically exemplify how God has ordained it to be.  Kingdom Power Couples are committed to living out their God-given purpose and making BOLD audacious moves for the Kingdom.  While exemplifying the true essence of a godly marriage.   Join the movement and become a Kingdom Power Couple TODAY!
 

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