Despite the fact that God is gracious to all believers, there is a way in which God is presented in the Scriptures in relation to answered prayer that may be surprising to some. There can be a temptation to assume that no matter what, God will answer the prayers of all believers. This line of thought ultimately allows a believer to live an unrepentant life that is therefore opposed to God; nevertheless, this same unrepentant believer can expect God to listen to him, or so it is thought. But what does the Bible say? Take a quick look through the book of Psalms.
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (KJV, Ps. 34:4).
In this psalm, the psalmist makes it clear that his answer to prayer began with his seeking the Lord. Seeking the Lord must be done in the life of every Christian. If someone were to read through the books of 1 and 2 Kings, he would see that there are both good and wicked kings that are depicted within these books. One of the defining characteristics of the good kings was that they sought the Lord. On the other hand, one of the defining characteristics of the wicked kings is that they did not seek the Lord.
In essence, it sounds so simple: seek the Lord. But in this verse, the psalmist sets out in his heart to seek the Lord’s face. This is not a type of haphazard or once-and-done approach to seeking the Lord. If you desire to have your prayers answered, you must seek the Lord.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (Ps. 40:1).
This next verse poses a problem for many. We are living in a time period in which we can get just about anything that we want quickly. Fast food restaurants are everywhere, ordering merchandise with the click of a button has never been so easy, and microwaves keep getting better and better. While all of this can be viewed as a great blessing, the Christian must also guard his heart.
The psalmist tells us that his prayers were answered because he waited upon the Lord. So often, the Christian desires to take matters into his own hands and answer his own prayers. But here we are told that one of the defining characteristics of answered prayer comes through waiting upon the Lord.
“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Ps. 145:18).
The psalmist instructs us on a very important matter in this psalm. It is that of calling upon the Lord in truth. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God. The God that the Bible presents also consists of three Persons. These three Persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At the outset, anyone who calls on a god other than the triune God of the Bible will not being calling upon God in truth.
It is also important for the believer to know that there is more to this verse than simply calling upon the triune God of the Bible. When it is said that the psalmist called “upon him in truth,” it may sound confusing at first. The question will arise in the minds of many, “What does it mean to call upon God in truth?” To simply call upon God can be easily understood. However, when someone begins to think about what it may mean to call upon God “in truth,” he may start to get a little bewildered.
In actuality, the meaning is quite simple. Ask yourself, “Where can I find truth?” The answer to this question will be your guide. The Bible is where you can find truth. The Bible is entirely truthful. Therefore, to call upon God in truth is to call upon God as He is revealed to you in the Bible and in a way that is prescribed in the Bible.
“He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them” (Ps. 145:19).
It is possible that one of the main hindrances that Christians face in their times of prayer comes by way of their lack of the fear of God. It is a tragedy to see the casual approach of many in their pursuit of God. There is a stench of irreverence in the air that is not a pleasing aroma before the Lord.
Throughout Scripture, and especially in the Psalms and Proverbs, the man who fears the Lord is deemed to be a blessed man. Nevertheless, the current trend is not to fear the Lord, but to make the Lord a buddy and pal and to fashion the Lord into one’s own image. God is the Creator and Sustainer of life. If He were to take His Spirit away from man, man would return to the dust. He is an all-consuming fire Who breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life, and Adam became a living being. He is the God Who has the power to give life and to destroy. He will raise a soul up to heaven or cast a soul into hell. He is not to be dumbed down and should not be made to appear as man’s equal.
However, this is often what is taking place, and as it does, the reverent fear of God is displaced with a casualness that is altogether immoral. Does God want the believer to be comfortable in His presence? Absolutely! Does God want the Christian to believe that he can approach God? Certainly! But those who understand the fear of God know that a fear of God does not displace an intimate and comforting relationship with the Lord. Instead, it fosters this type of relationship. If you desire for your prayers to be answered, do as the psalmist did: fear the Lord.
“Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him” (Ps. 91:14-15).
This verse speaks loudly to God’s desire for man to love Him. God says, “Because he has set his love upon me…” How neat is that! God takes note of those that set their love upon Him. The first and greatest commandment speaks of this love that the psalmist spoke of and the way that the Christian must love God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
As the psalmist continues in speaking God’s thoughts, it is said of the one who sets his love upon God, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him…” There is the promise for the Christian to latch onto. Set your love upon God, and God will answer your prayers.
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Ps. 34:15).
In closing, the psalmist gives further instruction on how one can be heard in prayer. He tells us that for the one who is righteous, God’s eyes will be upon him. But not only that, God’s ears will be opened to his cry. God does not have ears; He is a Spirit. However, one will read about ways in which God speaks to us in our own language so that we can understand what is taking place. When we read that God opens His ears, it is a telling illustration of the God in heaven. God hears the prayers of the righteous rather than covering His ears or His ears being muffled.
In one sense of the word, there are times when God chooses not to hear the prayers of some. This may be hard to understand, but this verse speaks to that reality. If God opens his ears to the righteous, it means that his ears are closed to the unrighteous. Find your righteousness in Christ, and then walk in the righteousness that has been credited to you.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the instruction on prayer that You have given me in Your Word. Please help me to do what Your Word says. Teach me how to pray, Lord, so that I may be a better servant and be made into a vessel for honorable use. Work in my heart this day, Lord, I pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.