Part 2: Conditions
6. What conditions must we meet for God to hear our prayers and answer?
a) feel our need and open our heart with humility
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” Psalms 102:17 (For further study see Matthew 5:6 and Matthew 23:12.)
b) Seek after God
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” John 16:23 (For further study see Matthew 7:7-8.)
c) Don’t regard iniquity in your heart or cling to any known sin
“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9 (For further study see Isaiah 1:15, Psalms 45:15 and 1 Peter 3:2.)
Note: You do not have to wait until you are perfect to come to God, just until you are ready to give up your imperfections. Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
d) Ask according to His will
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
e) Have faith
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Mathew 21:22 (For further study see James 1:5-7 and Mark 11:24.)
f) Have perseverance and diligence in your prayer?
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1 (For further study see 1 Peter 4:7 and Hebrews ll:6)