Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples." (John 15: 7-8) This passage highlights the importance of faith and prayer in our spiritual growth.
Revd. Sidney Elijah Adenaike Ph.D
September 5, 2023
In the above passage, Jesus assures us that if we abide in Him and allow His Word to dwell richly within us, whatever we desire and ask—provided it aligns with the Will of God—will be done for us. Likewise, when you call upon Him in true faith, He will respond. Prophet Jeremiah stated:
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
David also affirmed that the Omnipresent God is close at hand:
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalms 145:18)
The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 4:7 that when we pray in faith, our Omnipresent God, who answers the prayers of His people when they call on Him, will indeed respond. A life devoid of prayer is akin to a body without a heart or a car lacking an engine. Prayer is our vital connection to God, and living without prayer is a path that leads nowhere. A person without prayer resembles a tree without roots.
“And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.” (Mark 4:17)
God is everywhere, and He hears us when we call on Him (refer to Psalm 139:7-10). Those who neglect or disregard God’s Word cannot experience His Presence and closeness.
“The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverb 15:29)
God knows the hearts of people; He draws near to those with pure hearts who call upon Him in truth (see Psalm 66:18; Psalms 145:19). God delights in fulfilling the desires of all who fear Him. Psalm 37:4 promises that those who seek God wholeheartedly and take pleasure in Him will see their godly and pleasant desires fulfilled.
Every believer yearns for their prayers to be answered. It’s crucial to understand that prayers are not answered simply because you pray; moreover, God does not answer every prayer. For instance, prayers lacking faith or sincerity fall on deaf ears. Anyone who stands as an enemy of God cannot access Him or expect to receive answers to their prayers. To receive answers, you must meet certain conditions and adhere to specific guidelines. I am confident that if you follow these guidelines and embrace these basic keys with faithfulness, you will receive answers to your prayers.
The new birth is not a natural birth or a birth through flesh and blood (John 3:4 and 6). It is a sovereign act of God (John 1:13; John 3:3, 8) and a work of grace that occurs in the hearts of repentant and confessed sinners when they respond to the invitation of Christ for a spiritual rebirth through faith. This experience is popularly known as being born again. When individuals forsake and repent of their sins, accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, and believe in Him and His gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15; Romans 1:16)—which is the living and abiding Word of God (1 Peter 1:23, 25; 1 John 3:9)—they will be cleansed from their sins and transformed into new creatures by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6, 8). This transformation is a vital aspect of spiritual growth that accompanies the new birth. The Bible says: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." (John 1:12) When you truly believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and receive Him as your Savior through prayer, you become born again. To experience the transformation that the new birth brings, you must indicate your acceptance of this golden offer by taking the following steps:
Before you can experience spiritual growth and be born again, you must recognize that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Romans 3:23). The penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23), and we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God by acting in ways that do not please Him.
Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
With faith in Him, Jesus has promised that He will turn no one away who calls upon Him for salvation:
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Through prayer, we can seek His guidance and embrace the transformative journey of faith.
Psalm 66:18 reads: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” When you pray to God and expect an answer, your conscience must be clean (Hebrews 10:22, James 5:16, and Psalm 66:18). Prophet Isaiah declared that it was our iniquities that have separated us from our God; our sins have hidden His Face from us, so that He will not hear. Therefore, before you go to God in prayer, you must repent of your sins to foster your spiritual growth in faith.
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
The Bible instructs as follows:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the Presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19; see also Ezekiel 18:30-32).
Confess your sins to the Lord through heartfelt prayer; do not hide them, as this marks the beginning of your Christian walk and spiritual growth with Him. Paul said in Romans 10:8-10: "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The moment you confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your faith will lead to your salvation and a new life in Christ becoming a reality.
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul: “What must I do to be saved?” Paul provided a clear answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). If you have faith in the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior and trust that He died to pay the penalty for your sins, you shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Through prayer, you can now look up to Him for all your physical and spiritual needs, fostering your spiritual growth.
Acknowledging God means you know Him personally and intimately, recognizing His biblical attributes of Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience, which are essential for spiritual growth. Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go, fear Him, and depart from evil: “The Eyes of the Lord are in every place.” (Proverbs 15:3) Christians are encouraged in Proverbs 3:6 to acknowledge God in all their ways, and He will direct their steps. You must have faith that He is the One who works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Whatever progress or success you achieve is by His power. Recognize that He has the authority to do whatever pleases Him, and nothing is impossible or too hard for Him. In acknowledging God in all your ways, submit yourself daily to His authority and Lordship—over your home, workplace, endeavors, relationships, thoughts, words, and deeds. God's Word must be the ultimate authority in your life. You should honor God with your time, talents, and treasures. Acknowledging God is also about maintaining faith, trusting Him, and obeying His commands because His promises will never fail. To receive anything from God, you must foster a cordial and intimate relationship with Him, ensuring your requests align with His will. Jesus taught His disciples the path of intimacy with God through the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4), which begins with: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.” God is referred to as “Our Father” because we are all His children. “Hallowed be Your Name” signifies our respect and loyalty to Him alone. David, the man after God’s own heart, acknowledged God and asked Him to listen to his prayer: “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray” (Psalm 5:1-2). Receiving answers to your prayers is one of the benefits of being a follower of Christ. If you are not of God, He is not obliged to listen to your petitions. The Bible states: “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him” (John 9:31).
James 5:16b states: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Therefore, if you want your prayers to be effective and acceptable before God, you must live a righteous life that reflects your faith. Apostle Peter also emphasized this when he said: "For the Eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His Ears are open to their prayers; But the Face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12) The Bible highlights the importance of having a clean conscience as a condition for answered prayer (Hebrews 10:22). For example, to foster spiritual growth and ensure your prayers are answered, you must live peaceably and respectfully with your spouse, showing understanding for each other (Read 1 Peter 3:7).
God is Holy and perfect, and sinful people cannot approach Him or come near His Holy Temple. In Psalm 24:3-4, David poses two profound questions: "Who may ascend into the Hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy Place?" The answer reveals that it is he who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. These criteria highlight the importance of faith in our spiritual growth and connection to God.
To ascend the hill of the Lord, one must possess clean hands and a pure heart, and must not turn to idols or speak falsely. A pure heart signifies not sinless perfection, but rather a genuine heart that has been cleansed by Christ’s Blood. Jesus encapsulates this in Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Those who can ascend the Hill of the Lord and stand in His holy Place are united with Christ, clothed in His righteousness, with hands washed clean in His Blood and hearts purified by that same Blood. Thus, coming to the Throne of God requires faith in Jesus Christ and the guidance of His Spirit.
Christ embodies righteousness, and the only way to attain righteousness is through God imputed the Righteousness of Christ to you by faith (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through prayer, we seek this transformation and deepen our spiritual growth.
"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." (1 John 3:21-22)
If you want your prayers answered, then you must demonstrate your faith through obedience to God, which is the prerequisite for effective spiritual growth. This means doing what God commands and refraining from actions He forbids. God hears the prayers of those who obey His commands (read 1 John 3:22-23; Matthew 7:21).
One of the prerequisites for receiving answers to prayers is to pray aright, demonstrating your faith. Then your petitions will be acceptable to God (James 4:3). You must approach God with the right attitude and motive if you desire to receive answers to your prayers and foster your spiritual growth (Matthew 6:5-15; Matthew 7:7-11; Philippians 4:6).
It also means that you should pray according to the Will of God (read Matthew 6:9-13). The Apostle Paul emphasizes an essential point in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which reads:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
God desires for you to be happy always, pray constantly, and show gratitude to Him for His goodness and mercy in your life. This is the Will of God in Christ for you, guiding you toward deeper faith and spiritual growth.
Addressing your prayer to the Heavenly Father, the only true and real God of the Bible, is essential if you expect answers to your prayers (See Matthew 6:9). It is neither beneficial nor sensible for believers to pray to false gods, such as those constructed in the image of man, angels, or dead people (Read Psalm 20:7-9; 1 Corinthians 8:5–6). God reveals Himself to mankind through Jesus Christ, whose Spirit indwells believers, fostering their spiritual growth (Matthew 11:27). The Apostle Paul was inspired to describe the true God as follows: "Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom are all things, and through Whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:6). You must worship this Great God who gives you life and breath, nurturing your faith through every prayer (read John 17:1; Matthew 6:9–13).
One of the most important things to learn about God is that faith is enshrined in His attributes - He is faithful. He places a very high premium and value on faith. Righteousness was imputed to Abraham because he believed God (Romans 4:3). In Matthew 21:22, Jesus again emphasizes faith:
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Those who truly believe in God will witness the amazing, infinite power of God. Apostle James also talks about this in James 1:6. Having faith is essential for answered prayer, as faith is a critical element in pleasing God. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him who alone can do the impossible (Hebrews 11:6; Luke 1:37).
The Bible says:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
It takes faith to pray because faith is the foundation on which we build our understanding of the reality of God. According to Tauren Wells in his work titled “Praying in Faith”: “Faith is the currency of heaven, and prayer is how we exchange sorrow for joy, ashes for beauty, and spiritual deadness for supernatural power.”
The biblical instruction concerning prayer is that we must pray in faith (see James 1:6). Prayers that meet the required conditions as stated in the Bible are answered. For example, Joshua’s prayer for the Sun to stand still met all these conditions of prayer (Joshua 10:12–14). Elijah’s prayer for rain to stop—and his later prayer for rain to fall—also met all these conditions (James 5:17–18). Jesus’ prayer as He stood before the tomb of Lazarus fulfilled these conditions as well (John 11:41).
They all prayed to God according to His will, with good motives and for necessary things, and above all, in faith. This alignment of faith with God’s will is crucial for spiritual growth, as incongruency between God’s Will and our own will can be another stumbling block.
An important condition and a key to successful prayer is that it is offered in the Will of God. Prayers that are aligned with God’s desires, Will, and Plans will be answered affirmatively (1 John 5:14–15). This truth is stated explicitly in 1 John 5:14: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
Our requests must agree or conform with the Will of God. God promised to supply what we need when we “seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Our task is to understand the will of God and allow the Spirit to guide us in knowing what to ask, fostering our spiritual growth so that our requests will be consistent with what is delightful to God. The natural mind cannot understand this. But when we offer ourselves as 'a living sacrifice' and are transformed by the renewing of our minds, then we “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect Will” (Romans 12:1–2).
There is no need to pray for something that goes against the will of God. For instance, do not pray that God should give you the position of your boss in the office. People often waste their time and energy trying to persuade God to bless something or grant a frivolous request that goes against His interest. This causes needless frustration and disillusionment, as the person who expects answers cannot figure out why their prayers were not answered. When we truly desire God, when we are passionate to see His will accomplished in this world, and ask for what brings Him glory, He is eager to give us anything we ask. Sometimes the things that glorify God are pleasant, and sometimes they are less pleasant. This can be a failure that humbles us or a physical weakness that makes us more dependent upon Him (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). Our intention in prayer should be to honor God and bring glory to Him (Colossians 3:17).
Elijah did not just come up with the idea of praying for the rain to be withheld. He had read in the Scriptures that God would bless the land when the people lived in obedience but that He would curse the land when the people rebelled and began to live in idolatry, immorality, and perversion (Deuteronomy 28:1 and 23). Elijah, therefore, prayed in accordance with God’s Will in the Scriptures.
Jesus modeled this for us, praying for the Will of God to be done in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13). Always align your will and your requests with God’s Will (read Luke 22:42; Mark 14:32-36; Romans 8:27).
It is true that we do not always know how best to offer our prayer to God. In this regard, we must be guided by the Holy Spirit. According to Romans 8:26:
“Likewise, the Spirit also 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.”
We must feed our hearts on the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into the Will of God, which will ultimately strengthen our faith.
Jesus said as recorded in John 14:14: "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Jesus Christ is the reason we can approach the Throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19–22), and He serves as our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). In other words, our access to God is granted only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:14–16). This is why we are encouraged to engage in prayer in Jesus’ Name (John 16:24), as our faith is strengthened through this act. In fact, Jesus sits at God’s Side, making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), which is essential for our spiritual growth.
Here, Jesus did not promise His disciples everything they desired; rather, He instructed them to ask: "in My Name." To pray in Jesus’ Name is to pray based on His Authority, but it also entails aligning our petitions with the Will of God, as Jesus always acted according to this Will (John 6:38). When you pray in the Name of Jesus, He is praying alongside you as our great High Priest, enhancing your faith in the process (Read Hebrews 4:14-16).
Prayer in the Spirit (that is, under the control of the Holy Spirit) is essential for answered prayer and plays a crucial role in spiritual growth. Praying in the Spirit means praying with divine help, trusting God, and relying on Him by faith to hear and answer your prayer. This act of praying in the Spirit is a gift received through faith in Christ Jesus. It is important to note that prayers offered in the flesh will not be heard by God (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20; Romans 8:26). Ultimately, praying in the Spirit involves relying on the Holy Spirit to assist you in your prayer journey.
If you want your prayers answered, you must be specific in your request. As told in the Book of Samuel, Hannah exemplified faith by knowing exactly what she wanted and praying for it. She did not have many things on her prayer list; she was specific and prayed for only one thing. Barren and longing for a male child, her focused prayer reflects the essence of spiritual growth in our communication with God. (read 1 Samuel 1:10-11)
Be very specific about what you ask for in prayer. If you want specific answers, then make specific requests. Another example is Prophet Nehemiah, who earnestly prayed for success, and God answered his prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-2:9). The Bible encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). One of the conditions for effective prayer is that we remain resolute and do not give up. Jesus said:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
In this passage, Jesus invites us to engage in the real act of prayer, which is to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. In Luke 18:1, He encourages believers to pray in faith and not lose heart. God values persistence and passion in prayer because it shows that we genuinely care about the things we are asking for. Persistent prayer not only gives Him glory but also expresses our dependence on Him and aligns our hearts with His. Jesus admonished us to ask and receive so that our joy may be complete (John 16:24; see also Matthew 7:7; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; and John 15:7). How do we ask? We ask (Ask, Seek, and Knock) with confidence and humility.
Paul prayed three times for the thorn to be removed from his flesh, but God did not remove it. Why would a loving God refuse to heal Paul? It was because God had something better for him, namely, a life lived by grace. In response to his request, God provided a revelation: “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul ended his prayer and began to rejoice in his weakness by saying:
“Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Consider how Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest (read Matthew 26:36-46). If you want your prayers answered, your attitude of prayer must reflect that of Paul and Jesus. You must not be weary, not give up, or stop praying.
May the Almighty God answer your prayers and grant you an all-round peace in Jesus’ Name, strengthening your faith along the way. Amen!
N.B
The views expressed here are solely mine. I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible and contribute to spiritual growth, but I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. I thank you for your feedback.