When God Promises to Answer Your Prayer: 14 Biblical Assurances

Prayer is not merely speaking words into the void, but an engaging two way conversation (with one party speaking and the other party listening), with a Divine Being, with tangible outcomes.

Please note: much of our listening in relationship to God is through His Word. We are called to train our ear to hear his Word, and obey it. But that is not the only way we hear his voice. We also hear his voice in our conscience. When our conscience is screaming to us to not do something, and we do it anyway, we break away from our conversation with God.

 

We can also hear his voice, through friends and family, through teachers, and students, through men, women and children who are led by the spirit of God to speak to us the truth, according to his wisdom. Sometimes a neutral friend can have an insight into our own blind spots, even as we can have insights into theirs. That is exactly why God commands his children to stay in fellowship with one another, to listen and to learn from one another, and even submit to one another in reverence to Christ. But even in this, we must be careful, because the voice of God and the voice of man are often in great opposition to one another.

We can also hear his voice through common every day circumstances. It’s kind of like getting on a bicycle. You don’t know everything that’s going to happen while riding the bike.  Many things may happen that will demand your immediate attention, to avoid disaster, and to enjoy a protected and safe journey. But much of those consequences cannot be predicted before you get on the bicycle and start riding it.

 

Throughout scripture, God provides specific promises about when He will hear and affirmatively answer our prayers.

 

These promises often come with conditions related to:

1. our character,

2. our relationship with God, 

3. the nature of our requests, and

4. The prayers of others.

May you read these scriptures with an alert mind, and a desire to see things from God’s perspective. That in itself will greatly increase your success in this adventure of having your prayers answered by God Himself!

 

A simple 7 second video: Enjoy!

1.  Prayers Answered Through Faithful Relationship

John 15:7 – Abiding in Christ

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Interpretation: This verse establishes that when we maintain a close, continuous relationship with Christ and allow His teachings to permeate our lives, our prayer requests align with His will and receive affirmative answers.

Key Points:

• Answered prayer depends on an ongoing relationship with Jesus

• Our requests naturally align with God’s purposes when we are immersed in His Word

• The condition “abide in me” indicates consistency, not occasional connection

• Take Note of 3 Prerequisites: 1) I must abide in Him, 2) His Words must Abide in Me, 3) In order for His Words to Abide in Me, I must have applied myself to careful listening, careful reading and/or careful Study of His Words.

 

Psalm 145:19 – Reverent Fear

“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

Interpretation: This Psalm of David affirms that God responds to those who approach Him with proper reverence and respect. The “fear” mentioned is not terror but a deep honoring of God’s authority and character.

Key Points:

• God fulfills desires of those who properly revere Him

• He specifically hears their distress calls (“cry”)

• Divine intervention (“save them”) follows their prayer

 

Jeremiah 33:3 – Calling Upon God

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Interpretation: God promises not only to answer prayers when we earnestly call upon Him, but to reveal profound truths and insights we couldn’t discover on our own.

Key Points:

• A direct invitation from God to engage in prayer

• Promise includes both answers and revelations

• “Great and mighty things” suggests answers exceeding our expectations

 

2.  Prayers Answered Through Righteous Living

1 John 3:22 – Obedience to God’s Commands

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

Interpretation: This verse directly links answered prayer to obedience and a lifestyle that pleases God. When we live according to God’s standards, our requests receive favorable responses.

Key Points:

• Obedience creates an environment for answered prayer

• Doing what pleases God demonstrates right relationship

• The promise extends to “whatsoever we ask” within this context of obedience

 

James 5:16 – Righteous Effectiveness

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

Interpretation: This verse emphasizes that prayers from those living righteously have extraordinary power and effectiveness. The righteous person’s prayers accomplish significant outcomes.

Key Points:

• Righteousness amplifies prayer’s effectiveness

• “Fervent” suggests passionate, heartfelt prayer

• The example of Elijah follows this principle, showing ordinary people can see extraordinary results

 

Psalm 34:15 – Divine Attention

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

Interpretation: God maintains constant vigilant attention toward those who live righteously. Their prayers receive immediate divine awareness and consideration.

Key Points:

• God’s attentiveness is ongoing (“eyes…are upon”)

• His responsiveness (“ears are open”) is assured

• The righteous enjoy a privileged position of being heard

 

3.  Prayers Answered Through Faith and Confidence

 

Mark 11:22-24 – Believing Prayer

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

[What an incredible promise!]

Interpretation: Jesus teaches that prayer combined with unwavering faith produces remarkable results. When we pray with absolute confidence in God’s ability and willingness to respond, obstacles that seem immovable can be overcome.

Key Points:

• Faith is the essential foundation for answered prayer

• Doubt undermines prayer effectiveness

• Believing in advance of seeing results is critical

 

Hebrews 4:16 – Approaching with Confidence

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Interpretation: This verse encourages confident prayer, knowing that Jesus understands our struggles firsthand. We can approach God directly, expecting to receive mercy and timely assistance.

Key Points:

• Bold approach to God is encouraged, not presumptuous but confident

• Mercy and grace are specifically promised

• Help is available precisely when needed (“in time of need”)

 

Matthew 7:7-8 – Persistent Request

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Interpretation: Using three progressive actions-asking, seeking, and knocking-Jesus promises that persistent prayer receives answers. The intensity of effort correlates with guaranteed results.

Key Points:

• Progressive intensity in prayer brings results

• The promise is universal (“every one that asketh”)

• God responds to perseverance and determination

 

41 second video clip:

4.  Prayers Answered Through Proper Motivation

 

John 14:13-14 – Praying for God’s Glory

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Interpretation: Jesus promises to answer prayers asked in His name-not merely ending prayers with a formula, but praying in alignment with His character and purposes-particularly when the outcome brings glory to God.

Key Points:

• Praying “in Jesus’ name” means alignment with His character and purposes

• The ultimate purpose is God’s glory

• Jesus personally commits to fulfilling such requests

 

1 John 5:14-15 – Asking According to God’s Will

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Interpretation: This passage assures us that prayers aligned with God’s will receive not only a hearing but a positive response. Understanding God’s will creates confidence in prayer.

Key Points:

• Alignment with God’s will guarantees a hearing

• Confidence comes from knowing God is listening

• The answer is assured even before it materializes

 

John 16:23-24 – Asking in Jesus’ Name

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Interpretation: Jesus teaches that approaching God through His name (His authority and character) results in answered prayer, with the outcome being complete joy.

Key Points:

• Praying through Jesus’ mediation ensures answers

• The promise is emphasized with “verily, verily” (truly, truly)

• Complete joy is the ultimate purpose of answered prayer

 

5. Prayers Answered Through Compassionate Action

 

Isaiah 58:6-9 – Caring for Others

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward [rear-guard]. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.“

Interpretation: This profound passage links answered prayer with acts of justice, mercy, and generosity. When we care for the oppressed and needy, God promises to answer when we call upon Him.

Key Points:

• Social justice actions precede prayer answers

• God responds to those who show practical compassion

• Immediate divine response (“Here I am”) is promised

 

Proverbs 15:29 – Righteous vs. Wicked

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”

Interpretation: This proverb creates a stark contrast between God’s distance from the wicked and His attentiveness to the righteous, emphasizing that moral character affects prayer efficacy.

Key Points:

• Righteousness creates proximity to God

• Wickedness creates distance from God

• Divine hearing is directly tied to moral character

 

You may notice: Nowhere does the scripture say that:

1. Saying the Sinner’s Prayer
2. Going to church on Sunday and Wednesday Night
3. Giving or Tithing to the Pastor
4. Or Church membership: Will help you get your prayers answered.

 

Conclusion

These fourteen scriptures reveal consistent patterns in God’s promises to answer prayer. While God hears all prayers, affirmative answers are consistently linked to our relationship with Him, our character, our faith, and our alignment with His purposes. Scripture shows that prayer is not manipulating God to fulfill our desires, but participating in a relationship where our desires increasingly align with His as we grow in faith and obedience.

These passages emphasize that effective prayer flows from a life characterized by truthfulness, righteousness, unselfishness, purity, and faithfulness. As we cultivate these qualities, we can approach God with confidence, knowing He not only hears but actively responds to our prayers.