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Do You Wonder if God Hears Your Prayers?

Do You Wonder if God Hears Your Prayers?
  • Published Nov 20, 2024

Many people ask, "What ensures that my prayers are answered?" The Bible offers guidance, starting with the idea that "the prayer of the righteous avails much." Righteousness, as seen in Abraham’s quick repentance or Job’s humility before God, isn’t about perfection but a willingness to align with God’s will and adjust our lives to His word. Faith plays a crucial role—believing God’s promises even when they don’t make sense (Hebrews 6:18, Habakkuk 2:4).

Obeying God’s word and loving others as He commands also opens the door to answered prayers (John 15, 1 John 3). However, certain behaviors can hinder prayers: unrepentant sin (Jeremiah 14:10-12), doubting (James 1:5-9), selfish motives (James 4), and even mistreating others, like a spouse (1 Peter 3:7).

God desires to bless us and answer our prayers, but our hearts must be aligned with Him. Like a parent’s grace toward a child, God’s relationship with us thrives when we seek Him sincerely, trust His timing, and obey His will. Stay committed to His plan, knowing He loves us and wants the best for His children (Luke 11:11-13).

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Nicola Katie

Dr. Paul CanningsDr. Paul Cannings is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Living Word Fellowship Church in Houston, Texas, Founder and President of Power Walk Ministries, President of ABC Word Academy/LWCA, adjunct professor of the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas, and board member of TL Africa. He serves as a Bible study leader on "The Pastor's Corner" and hosts "The Pastor's Study," available anytime on Oneplace.com and Lightsource.com, and his TV ministry at paulcannings.tv. He is the author of several books, which include “Doing It God’s Way: From Conflict to Harmony in Church Leadership”; “Why Can’t Mondays Be More Like Sundays?’ Find all of Dr. Cannings' books and resources at https://powerwalkministries.myshopify.com and watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@powerwalkministries9317. Dr. Cannings and his wife Everette are the parents of two adult sons, Paul Jr. and Pierre, who are married to Tanisha and Monica, respectively, with seven grandchildren.

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