14 Women had their Prayers
Answered & Accepted by God

Here are 14 examples of women praying in the King James Bible and having their prayers accepted and answered by God, along with the circumstances, results, and key points for each:

1. Hannah’s Prayer for a Son (1 Samuel 1:9-20)
   • Circumstances: Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives, but she was barren, while his other wife, Peninnah, had children. Peninnah provoked Hannah severely, making her weep and refuse to eat. In deep anguish, Hannah went to the temple at Shiloh and prayed to the Lord with bitter tears, vowing that if God would give her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service all his life. [1]
   • Result: The Lord remembered Hannah. She conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.” After Samuel was weaned, she fulfilled her vow and brought him to the temple to serve the Lord under Eli the priest. [1]
   • Key Point: This example demonstrates the power of a fervent, specific prayer made with a vow of dedication. It shows that God hears the cries of the afflicted and can answer prayers for seemingly impossible situations like barrenness.

2. Rebekah Inquiring of the Lord (Genesis 25:22-23)
   • Circumstances: Rebekah was pregnant with twins, and the children struggled violently within her womb, causing her distress. She felt something unusual was happening and sought divine understanding about the struggle. The text states, “she went to enquire of the Lord.” [2]
   • Result: The Lord answered her inquiry, revealing that two nations were in her womb and that the elder would serve the younger. This prophecy explained the struggle she felt and foretold the future relationship between her sons, Esau and Jacob, and their descendants. [2]
   • Key Point: Rebekah’s action shows that women in the Old Testament sought direct guidance and understanding from God regarding perplexing circumstances, and God provided answers.

3. The Daughters of Zelophehad’s Plea for Inheritance (Numbers 27:1-7)
   • Circumstances: Zelophehad, a man from the tribe of Manasseh, died in the wilderness without having any sons. His five daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—came before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the congregation at the tabernacle door. They presented their case, arguing that their father’s name should not be removed from his family because he had no son, and requested that they be given possession of an inheritance among their father’s relatives. [3]
   • Result: Moses brought their case before the Lord. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.” God then established a law that if a man died without sons, his inheritance should pass to his daughters. [3]
   • Key Point: This is an example of women advocating for justice and equity based on their circumstances, and God hearing their plea and establishing a new legal precedent that benefited them and future generations of women in similar situations.

4. Rahab’s Plea for Salvation (Joshua 2:12-13, 6:25)
   • Circumstances: Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, hid the two Israelite spies sent by Joshua. She had heard about the power of the God of Israel and believed that He had given the land to the Israelites. Recognizing the impending destruction of Jericho, she made a plea to the spies, asking them to swear by the Lord that they would spare her life and the lives of her father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and all that they had, when the Israelites conquered the city. [4]
   • Result: The spies agreed to her request, instructing her to tie a scarlet cord in her window and gather her family into her house. When Jericho was destroyed, Joshua spared Rahab and her family because she had hidden the spies. She and her family were brought out and lived among the Israelites. [4]
   • Key Point: Rahab’s plea, rooted in her faith in the God of Israel despite her background, was heard and answered, resulting in the salvation of her entire household. It shows that God’s mercy is available to those who turn to Him in faith, regardless of their past.

5. Deborah’s Song of Praise (Judges 5)
   • Circumstances: After the Israelites, led by Deborah the prophetess and Barak, defeated the Canaanite army under Sisera, Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord. This song is a form of prayer and worship, recounting God’s mighty acts in delivering Israel from their oppressors. [5]
   • Result: The song was accepted by God as an act of worship and remembrance of His faithfulness. It served to glorify God for the victory He had granted and to recount the history of His intervention on behalf of Israel. [5]
   • Key Point: This example shows that prayer is not only about making requests but also about offering praise and thanksgiving for God’s answered prayers and His mighty deeds. Deborah, as a leader and prophetess, led the nation in this corporate act of worship.

6. Samson’s Mother Seeking Confirmation (Judges 13:8-9)
   • Circumstances: An angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah, who was barren, and told her she would conceive and bear a son (Samson) who would be a Nazirite and begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah prayed that the man of God would appear again to instruct them on how to raise the child. His wife’s faith and desire for confirmation were implicit in this situation. [6]
   • Result: God heard Manoah’s prayer (and implicitly his wife’s desire for understanding and confirmation). The angel of God appeared again to the woman while she was in the field. She quickly went to fetch her husband, and the angel repeated the instructions regarding the child. [6]
   • Key Point: While Manoah offered the explicit prayer recorded, the angel appeared to his wife first and again to his wife when she was alone, indicating her central role in receiving the message and her faith being acknowledged. Her seeking her husband to confirm the message also shows a desire for clarity regarding God’s will, which was answered by the angel’s second appearance.

7. The Widow of Zarephath’s Faith and Obedience (1 Kings 17:10-16)
   • Circumstances: During a severe famine, the prophet Elijah was sent by God to Zarephath. He encountered a widow gathering sticks and asked her for water and bread. She told him she had only a handful of flour and a little oil left, enough for one last meal for herself and her son before they died. Elijah told her not to fear but to first make him a small cake, and then make for herself and her son, promising that the flour and oil would not run out until the Lord sent rain. [7]
   • Result: The widow believed Elijah’s word, which was a message from God, and did as he commanded. As a result of her faith and obedience, which can be seen as an act of trust and seeking God’s provision through His prophet, the jar of flour and the jug of oil did not run out for many days, providing sustenance for her, her son, and Elijah throughout the famine. [7]
   • Key Point: This example highlights that faith expressed through obedience to God’s word, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, is a form of seeking and trusting God that He honors with miraculous provision.

8. The Shunammite Woman Seeking Elisha for Her Son (2 Kings 4:18-37)
   • Circumstances: The Shunammite woman, who had shown great hospitality to the prophet Elisha and had been granted a son through his prayer, experienced tragedy when her son suddenly died. In her grief and faith, she immediately went to seek Elisha on Mount Carmel, falling at his feet and expressing her distress. Her action was a desperate plea for divine intervention through the prophet. [8]
   • Result: Elisha came to her house and, through prayer and action, resurrected her son. Her seeking out the prophet in faith was answered by God restoring her son to life. [8]
   • Key Point: This demonstrates the power of persistent faith and seeking God’s help through His appointed servants in times of crisis, even death. Her belief that Elisha could help, rooted in her previous experience of God’s power through him, led to a miraculous answer.

9. Esther’s Call for Corporate Prayer and Fasting (Esther 4:15-16, 5:1-3)
   • Circumstances: Haman had plotted to annihilate all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Mordecai informed Esther of the decree and urged her to intercede with the king. Approaching the king without being summoned was punishable by death. Esther agreed to go but asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa to fast and pray for her for three days and nights, stating she and her maids would do the same. [9]
   • Result: After the period of fasting and prayer, Esther approached King Ahasuerus. The king extended his golden scepter to her, signifying that her life was spared and her presence was accepted. This opened the way for her to make her request and ultimately expose Haman’s plot, leading to the deliverance of the Jews. [9]
   • Key Point: Esther’s initiative in calling for corporate prayer and fasting before taking a dangerous step shows reliance on God for success and protection. The acceptance by the king is seen as a direct result of God’s favor, granted in response to the prayers of Esther and the Jewish people.

10. The Syrophoenician Woman’s Persistent Plea (Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30)
    • Circumstances: A Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon came to Jesus, crying out and asking Him to have mercy on her because her daughter was severely demon-possessed. Initially, Jesus did not answer her, and His disciples urged Him to send her away. Jesus then stated He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. The woman persisted, kneeling before Him and pleading, “Lord, help me.” Even when Jesus used an analogy that seemed to dismiss her request, she responded with faith and humility. [10] [11]
    • Result: Jesus was moved by her great faith and persistence. He declared, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Her daughter was healed instantly from that hour. [10] [11]
    • Key Point: This powerful example illustrates the importance of persistent prayer, humility, and unwavering faith, even when faced with apparent rejection or difficulty. Jesus honored her faith and answered her plea despite her being a Gentile.

11. Mary’s Prayer of Submission and Praise (Luke 1:38, 46-55)
    • Circumstances: The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, and announced that she would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit who would be the Son of the Most High and reign over Israel forever. Mary, after questioning how this could be, responded with submission, saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Following this, she visited her cousin Elizabeth and offered a prayer of praise known as the Magnificat. [12]
    • Result: Mary’s prayer of submission was accepted by God, and the divine plan for the incarnation proceeded through her. Her subsequent prayer of praise was an expression of her faith and joy, acknowledging God’s greatness and faithfulness in choosing her and fulfilling His promises. [12]
    • Key Point: Mary’s initial response is a prayer of humble submission to God’s will, which was accepted and foundational to the Incarnation. Her Magnificat shows that prayer also involves magnifying God and rejoicing in His character and actions.

12. Elizabeth’s Prayer of Recognition and Praise (Luke 1:41-45)
    • Circumstances: When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant in her old age according to the angel’s prophecy, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as soon as she heard Mary’s greeting. The baby in her womb (John the Baptist) leaped for joy. [12]
    • Result: Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud voice, blessing Mary and the fruit of her womb. She recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord and declared Mary blessed because she believed that what the Lord told her would be accomplished. This inspired utterance is a prayer of recognition and praise, accepted by God as part of the unfolding divine plan. [12]
    • Key Point: Elizabeth’s example shows that prayer can be an immediate, Spirit-filled response to God’s presence and action, recognizing His work and offering praise for His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises.

13. Anna the Prophetess’s Life of Prayer and Devotion (Luke 2:36-38)
    • Circumstances: Anna was a very old prophetess who lived at the temple in Jerusalem. She was a widow and served God constantly with fasting and prayers night and day. [12]
    • Result: Because of her faithful life of prayer and devotion, Anna was present in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to be presented to the Lord. She recognized Jesus as the Messiah and gave thanks to the Lord, speaking about Him to all who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. Her consistent prayer life positioned her to witness this pivotal moment and respond with worship and proclamation. [12]
    • Key Point: Anna’s life demonstrates that a consistent, dedicated life of prayer and worship is accepted by God and can lead to profound spiritual insight and the privilege of witnessing God’s redemptive work.

14. The Woman with the Issue of Blood’s Act of Faith (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48)
    • Circumstances: A woman had suffered from a debilitating issue of blood for twelve years, enduring much and spending all her money without getting better. She heard about Jesus and came up behind Him in the crowd, thinking, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” This thought was an expression of faith and an implicit prayer for healing directed towards Jesus. [10] [11] [12]
    • Result: As soon as she touched His garment, her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed. Jesus perceived that power had gone out of Him and asked who touched Him. When the woman, trembling, came and told Him the whole truth, Jesus said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Her faith-filled action, coupled with her inner plea, was accepted and resulted in immediate physical healing. [10] [11] [12]
    • Key Point: This example shows that faith, even expressed through a simple act and perhaps a silent inner prayer, is powerful and can be accepted by God (through Jesus) to bring about miraculous healing.

These examples from the King James Bible illustrate that God hears and answers the prayers of women who approach Him with faith, humility, persistence, and sincere devotion, often in response to specific needs, for guidance, for justice, or in worship and thanksgiving.