“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” – 1 John 5:14 KJV

For many Christians, prayer is an important part of our relationship with God. It is a sign that we have a relationship with God. Prayer is one of the ways we stay connected to God, our Father and Creator. Without prayer, there will be no way to tell God what we need, how we need it, and when we need it. 

When we pray, we expect God to answer us. We also accept the fact that some prayers come faster than others. Take for example the prayer for healing. We expect the healing to appear immediately or over a few days. We trust God to heal us on the spot or before the day breaks. On the other hand, a person who prays for a child will have to wait a few months to feel the child in her womb. So, all prayers don’t get answered at the same time. 

But one thing we all agree on is that God answer prayers. If He asks us to pray, then He is willing to give us what we ask in prayer. 

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. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. – John 16:23-24 KJV

Now the question is: are there prayers God answers faster than others? Yes, God answers prayers that are in line with His will faster than the ones that come from our human will, desires and wants. God also answers us when we pray about the things we truly need. 

2 PRAYERS TO PRAY 

1. Praying According to God’s Will 

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. – 1 John 5:14 KJV

The writer of that verse was so sure of what he wrote. God knows how things work better than we do. He has revealed His will through His Word. The Word of God contains the mind of God for all people in all ages, irrespective of continent, language or civilization. When we pray according to God’s will, He will definitely hear us. What are the areas of God’s will that when we pray, we get quick answers? They are:

• Prayer for forgiveness 
• Prayer for grace 
• Prayer for guidance 
• Prayer to understand the mind and will of God 
• Prayer to know God more 
• Prayer for the salvation of others 
• Prayer for healing so we can serve God better 
• Prayer for spiritual recovery 
• Prayer to stop the works of the devil 
• Prayer to read and understand the Bible 
• Prayer to be like Jesus 
• Prayer for God’s will to be done in a particular situation 
• Prayer to come closer to God’s heart 
• Prayer for solution to a pressing problem 
• Prayer for God to establish His kingdom in the hearts of men and women 
• Prayer for God to use you for His glory 

2. Praying for Our Needs

Sometimes, due to one reason or another, we may think that no verse of the Bible talks about a need in our lives. When this happens, what do we do? Do we pray or just let the situation continue? Will God answer us when we pray about a need without a single verse supporting it?

The answer is yes, God knows what we need. When we pray for what we need, not what we want, God will answer our prayers.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. – Philippians 4:6 KJV

Some of the needs we can pray and expect answers are:

• When we need food
• When we need a job 
• When we need means of transportation 
• When we feel sad
• When we need shelter 
• When we need clothing 
• When we need someone to talk to
• When we need a life partner who understands us
• When we have worn-out shoes and need new ones
• When all hope is lost and we need divine hope 
• When depression wants to reign supreme in our lives 
• When an accident is about to happen 
• When we have made a silly mistake 

Why Some Prayers According to God’s Will are not Answered 

Every believer has experienced times of unanswered prayers. While this is not God’s intention, it can happen due to various reasons. Prayers go unanswered when we don’t understand the will of God. We may find an interesting passage of the Bible and, out of excitement, misinterpret it to suit our needs. When we do so, we don’t expect The Righteous God to answer us. 

Unbelief in the promises of God is another reason behind unanswered prayers. When we see God’s word as a mere statement written in a book that has endured thousands of years, our faith will be weak. But when we see everything in the Bible as from God and inspired by the Spirit of God, our faith will come alive, and our prayers will be answered. 

Sometimes, we pray and ignore God’s timing, and we expect God to answer. For example, a boy of 13 years has no business praying for a wife. A girl of 10 mocks God if she asks Him for a husband. The reason is that they are making good prayers at the wrong time. God cannot answer such a prayer. If they have issues with bodily desires, they can only pray for grace to bring their bodies under the control of the Holy Spirit. 

If you are new at a job, it will be unwise to pray for a promotion. You need to wait for the right time. The best you can do is ask God for the grace to work hard and be great at your job. When the time is right  you can pray for promotion. Many prayers go unanswered because believers misinterpret “All things are possible with God.”

A lot of times we ask for the things we don’t need or not prepared to have. Since our God is a God of knowledge, He tries to tell us that it isn’t the right time. We do not hear Him because we have become obsessed with our needs. Somehow, we get what we want but they come from our personal faith, scheming or hard work, not from God. 

We must learn to wait on God, for His direction and timing. It is not enough to pray for the will of God, it is also important to know God’s timing. When God’s will meets His timing, answers to prayers become possible.