Prayer offered in faith builds the pathway on which we can walk confidently. Jesus said that whatever we ask in prayer, if we believe, we receive it. That is one of those verses where many of us look back on our prayer life and ask, "Really?" By faith, we know that God's Word is always true. We also know that God does not fail, so if we don't see prayers answered, we must examine our own lives and hearts and ask, "Have I missed something? Am I violating a Biblical principle or omitting an important part of what brings about answered prayer?" Of course, there are times when we don't seem to have prayer answered because the thing we are asking for is out of the will or timing of the Lord. There are some questions that just go unanswered and that is a part of our faith life too. There will always be mysteries when the the human walks with the Divine. Can we walk by faith even with questions? Of course we can! Answered prayer, like a lot of things, is not automatic just because we are Christians. Let's look at some things that could hinder prayer that God wants to answer.
First, how are you praying? Are you praying in faith expecting to receive? Maybe you think you are and really you are praying in fear or confusion. Maybe you are praying in desperation or anxiety. That kind of prayer can seem sincere but begging God is often not praying in faith. We must approach our loving and benevolent Lord confident that He wants to answer our prayers. We can joyfully expect His favor! It is a good thing to check the way we are praying from time to time. We can drift into a faithless religious prayer and out of a faith prayer.
Next, it is also very important that we are praying in faith with a clear conscience. If we are trying to pray a prayer of faith with a guilty conscience then we are "like the waves of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" as James 1 tells us. That verse goes on to say that such people will not receive from the Lord. They are unstable in their faith posture. 1 John 1:9 tells us, - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What a powerful verse. When we confess our sins, he not only forgives but cleanses. We need a clean conscience to truly pray in faith. When our conscience seems unclean or guilty, we cannot pray a prayer of faith. Accept the forgiveness of Jesus and embrace his cleansing of your inner man. Now you are bold. The Bible says the wicked flee when no one pursues but the righteous are as bold as a lion! That is the posture of faith prayer. Now you are truly "standing" in faith.
One other aspect of answered prayer is agreement. Matthew tells us that if two or more agree in prayer it will be done by God. Agreement or unity in prayer is a powerful force. Two standing in agreement in faith is much more powerful than the two praying independently. I have seen prayers hindered in this principle especially in the home. One marriage partner can leave the other partner out of the prayer or faith process. This is a big mistake and can be a hindrance to answered prayer. I Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." I hope you saw that. Husbands and wives are "heirs together" of the grace of God. Understanding this is so important. As a matter of fact, it says that if we don't get it, our prayers could be hindered. I saw a businessman once neglect this principle and his prayers for his business weren't going through. Once he saw this and he and his wife entered agreement in prayer, he saw the breakthrough!
Next, we can now act in faith. Faith and prayer gets us in position to walk out God's will for our life. Too many people pray for God's will for years, and I'm convinced that many wait far too long to act in faith. The bus comes and goes while they are still waiting at the bus stop. Once you pray and have confidence in your heart, start walking in the direction of your heart motivation. God confirms His will and direction in the motivation of our heart. A clear conscience is motivated by the will of God and is courageous enough to move out in that direction. Trust the leading of the Lord in your heart. Faith always has an element of uncertainty that must be pressed through, but walking out your prayers of faith brings success.
