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Previous Study | Index | Next Study  Prayers That Are Answered Download PDF of this page. During the second World War a flier, shot down in the Pacific Ocean, floated for some time on a rubber raft without being found. Finally in desperation he prayed this prayer, “Dear God, I haven’t asked You for anything for twenty years. If You will hear my prayer and send someone to rescue me, I won’t trouble You for another twenty years.” One writer has said that too many people treat God like a lawyer or a physician. They go to Him only when they are in trouble or sick. Many people think of prayer as something to be used only when they are in great trouble and cannot find help anywhere else. Prayer is the means by which we on earth can communicate with our Father in heaven. Christ, while here on earth, missed the face-to-face communion with God that He had enjoyed in heaven. So He spent much time in prayer, for this was His way of talking with His Father. Adam, before he fell, was able to walk and talk with God. Sin separated man from God as far as face-to-face communion was concerned, but God then gave man the privilege of talking with Him in prayer. What a privilege it is to commune with our heavenly Father at any time and under any circumstance. God longs for us to open our hearts to Him and bring our problems to Him for His help. Let us discover how we can talk with God so that our prayers will be heard and answered. 1. What did the disciples ask Jesus to teach them? Luke 11:1 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Note: Like the disciples, we need to learn to pray as Christ prayed, that God might hear and answer our petitions. 2. To whom should we pray? Luke 11:2 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 3. In whose name can we confidently approach God in prayer? John 14:14 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Note: It is through the merits of Christ’s perfect life that we can confidently approach God in prayer. 4. With what should our prayers be mingled? Philippians 4:6 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 5. How sincerely should we seek God in prayer? Jeremiah 29:12, 13 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 6. What assurance do we have that God will hear and answer our prayers? Matthew 7:7, 8 The Bible Says: “Ask_________________________________________________________” “Seek________________________________________________________” “Knock_______________________________________________________” 7. How willing is God to answer the prayers of His people? Matthew 7:11 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 8. Because we pray so imperfectly, who joins in prayer for and with us? Romans 8:26 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 9. What attitude on our part is necessary before our prayers will be answered? Mark 11:24 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 10. If we lack faith when we pray, what does the Bible say will be the result? James 1:6, 7 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 11. What petitions may we expect God to answer? I John 5:14, 15 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 12. Why are some of our prayers not answered as we would like? James 4:3 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 13. Under what conditions is the Lord unable to answer prayers? Psalm 66:18 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 14. Whose prayers will be unacceptable to God? Proverbs 28:9 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 15. How often should Christians pray? Ephesians 6:18; I Thessalonians 5:17 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Note: This means we should continually be in an attitude of fellowship with God —the attitude of prayer. 16. What times did David set aside for prayer? Psalm 55:17 The Bible Says: ________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ One writer has said that “prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” Steps to Christ, page 93. It is sharing life’s joys and woes with One who loves and cares. What a privilege to share our innermost thoughts with God! Sometimes it is difficult even to telephone a loved one because the circuits are busy. What a privilege it is to talk to those we love though separated by many miles. Millions of dollars are spent each year on telephone calls because people want to talk to loved ones. We can talk to the King of the universe! How often we carry needless burdens and problems because we have not taken time to pray! Let us decide today that our prayer life is going to be a rich, rewarding experience as we commune with God. The circuits to the King of the universe are never too busy; there is always an opening for our sincere prayer. If you are not in the habit of praying, begin the habit today. You may begin with one of the prayers of the Bible and then add sentences of your own, remembering that prayer is simply talking to God as you would talk to a friend. Turn, for example, to Psalm 51.  Would you like to join those who pleaded with Jesus Christ,
“Lord, teach us to pray?”
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