Prayer can be such a beautiful, simple, and complicated thing at the same time. Everyone prays in their own different way and still, our loving God hears every one. Getting an answer? That can be a whole different story. Sometimes an answer comes right away and sometimes we have to wait. However, there are some things we can pray for that God will always answer. Why does he always answer? Because of the desire we have to grow in him and see more of him in our lives.
“Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.”
-Psalm 66:20 (NLT)
Here are 10 prayers God always answers, without fail.
1. “Use me to glorify you.”
One of the Lord’s greatest desires is to use us to glorify him. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do or where he is directing us. Simply ask him and he will answer. It could be something as big as starting a non-profit for a specific cause or something small, but just as powerful, like buying a homeless person a meal. It could also be using the unique talents he has given you to reach other people for him.
2. “Forgive my sins.”
We serve a loving and merciful God and every one of us are sinners. There is no such thing as a perfect Christian. We all stumble and sometimes backslide, but by opening our hearts and confessing our sins we can be redeemed. The Lord died to save us from our sins. Not just that day on the cross, but every day of our lives.
3. “Reveal yourself to me.”
In the busyness of live, it can be hard to see and hear where the Lord is leading us. If we simply stop and ask him to reveal himself to us, he will, and it’s usually in awesome, amazing ways. He reveals himself in different ways to each one of us. To some of us, he is an inner voice, to others he speaks through visions and dreams. He also speaks at times by revealing the job, opportunity,or resources we need exactly when we need them.
If you’re really struggling, take some time during the day to just get quiet and ask him to reveal himself in your life. Then get into the habit of noticing the smallest of things during your day. He doesn’t always reveal himself in big ways. Sometimes he reveals himself in small ways as well.
4. “Give me your wisdom.”
As the Bible tells us, we are not to lean on our own understanding. This can be especially hard in difficult times. When you are facing a situation where you don’t know what you should do, ask him to give you his wisdom. It may help to speak with your pastor or a trusted friend as well. Sometimes when we are all stressed out and “in our own minds” he will speak through a trusted clergy member/friend as to what you should do. Other times he will speak to you directly.
5. “Strengthen my obedience.”
We all know that when the Lord asks us to do something, we need to be obedient. However, at times it can be very, very hard. For example, if we are waiting for something to happen, it can be hard not to take matters into our own hands. When you have days of anxiety and doubt, ask the Lord to strengthen your obedience. Ask him to help you to do what you have been commanded to do. For me, whenever I hear or see the phrase, “Be still and know that I am God.” it reminds me to be still and obedient. For he is working even if I can’t see it.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)
6. “Help me spread your love.”
Our world is a crazy place, full of opinions and thoughts and ideas. We know the best way to interact with people is to show the love of the Lord, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to do this. When you ask him to help you spread his love, he will. You may find a Christian non-profit or charity to volunteer at or you may do something on your own, like help a single Mom pay for her groceries or drive an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment.
7. “Give me clarity.”
Walking this path called life can be difficult and muddled at times. The last thing the Lord wants is for you to go down the wrong path or make the wrong choice. It may take time and patience, but the Lord will always answer a prayer for clarity.
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
8. “Help me find peace.”
Our own lives can be chaotic let alone all the things that are going on in the world. With everything going on, finding peace can seem almost impossible. The Lord does not want us living in a state of anxiety and peril, he will always answer and help us find peace.
“In those days you will pray and I will listen. If you seek me wholeheartedly
you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT)
9. “Align my heart with yours.”
This world can be a mean spirited place and it can be hard sometimes not to hold judgment, resentment, or other feelings in our hearts. By asking the Lord to align our hearts with his and asking for forgiveness, he can cleanse us of the toxic things that build up in our hearts and be more aligned with him. He loves us and wants us to be more like him so this is a prayer he will always answer.
10. “Align my mind with yours.”
Our minds are bombarded by images, thoughts, opinions, and information every day. As we all know, what goes in is what comes out. Still, we can’t just totally shut ourselves off from society and the media. We all falter in our thoughts from time to time. In this situation, it is best to ask the Lord to align our mind with his.
Let’s pray: Dear Lord,I want to grow in you and have more of you in my life. I pray that you will strengthen me in using me and my talents to glorify you. I thank you for loving me and forgiving my sins each day, every day. I pray you will reveal yourself in my life. Give me your wisdom as to what I should do in every situation and strengthen my obedience in what you ask of me. Show me the right path to travel and correct my ways if I stray. Show me ways to show and spread your love to those around me. Clear my mind to receive crystal clear clarity when you speak. Help align my heart and mind in their purest form to be an imitation of you. Thank you for answering all my prayers in your perfect timing with your perfect answer, even though I may not always understand. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has been featured on Huffington Post, Bon Bon Break, The Penny Hoarder, Parentmap, etc. She is also the author of three books of poetry and one children’s book, Don’t Eat Your Boogers (You’ll Turn Green). She writes her own child care blog at carrielowrance.com.
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