Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s life.   But there may be times when it seems as though God is not there and not answering.  One thing we must understand about God is that He does things in his own time and own way.  The answer you are looking for may not come in the way you expect.  You must trust in God and believe that his way is always the best.

However, at those times when it seems obvious that God has abandoned you, you must remember the criteria needed for God to answer your prayer.  Here are five of the most important things you need to do for answered prayer.

1.     Understand God’s Will

In the outline of what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, it is stated: 

"May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10

Understanding what God’s will is in your life is a key point to answered prayer.  Many a time when we pray, what we pray for is not something that God wants for us.   Sometimes our wishes are selfish and may not be of benefit to others who may be affected by what we want.  To understand God’s will takes careful bible study.  Once we are sincere, he will open up our minds more and more so that we can have total knowledge and understanding of what he requires.  In the end, we get answered prayer. 

“And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.  And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.”  I John 5:14-15 

2.       Repent

Repentance is another important key to answered prayer.  Once sin is rampant in your life, God will not hear you.

“Listen!  The Lord is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf.  He can hear you when you call.  But there is a problem – your sins have cut you off from God.  Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

What is sin? Sin is the breaking of the law.  What is the law?  The Ten Commandments.  You need to keep the Ten Commandments if you want your prayers answered.  Understand though, you are not being legalistic, but simply doing what is pleasing to God.

“And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him”.  I John 3:22

“Those who sin are opposed to the law of God, for all sin opposes the law of God.  And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, for there is no sin in him.   So if we continue to live in him, we won’t sin either.  But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is.”  I John 3:4-6

Staying close to Jesus Christ can help you live a sin free life.  This will not happen overnight though, but as you grow closer to him, you will see remarkable changes in your life.

3.       Learn to Forgive

Another part of the outline prayer in Matthew 6 is:

“and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” (verse 12).

We must learn to forgive others if we want answered prayer.  We cannot go to God if we have hate and malice in our hearts for someone, especially if we want God to forgive us.  To understand this better read the parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18:21-35.  Always try to reconcile your differences with anyone you may have a falling out with before you Go to God in prayer.

“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar.  Go and be reconciled to that person.  Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”  Matthew 5:23-24

In Luke 17, there is the account of the ten lepers who asked Jesus to have mercy on them.  He told them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were healed.  But only one came back and praised Jesus.

“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed.”  He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done.  This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked.  “Didn’t I heal ten men?  Where are the other nine?  Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”  (verses 15-18).

Jesus had to question why only one came back to give thanks, and a foreigner at that.  It is important that we give God thanks and glory. 

5.       Pray Fervently and Persistently

To pray fervently means to pray with all your heart.  Memorized prayers will not do much.  They just come from the head and not the heart.  God wants you to put your heart in your prayers.  James 5:16 says:

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV)

It is also good to give God a gentle reminder if you don’t seem to be getting an answer from Him.  As mentioned earlier, he does things in his own time and manner, but you also need to be praying regularly.  Maybe you have lapsed in your prayers and God just wants to remind you about your daily communications to him. 

God is not just there to fulfil your materialistic desires.  He wants a relationship with you.  You need to talk with Him consistently and regularly on any topic you choose.  Once you have established a relationship with Him, He will be there for you always.

“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.  Keep on looking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.”  Matthew 7:7-8