Why Pray? Will God Answer Me?

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The Bible’s answer

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Yes, he will. Both the Bible and real-life experience show that God answers prayers. The Bible says: “The desire of those fearing [God] he will perform, and their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them.” (Psalm 145:19) But whether God will answer you when you pray is largely up to you.

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What matters to God

●         Praying to God, not to Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, or images. Only Jehovah God is the “Hearer of prayer.”​—Psalm 65:2.

●         Praying in harmony with God’s will, or requirements, which are found in the Bible.​—1 John 5:14.

●         Praying in Jesus’ name, recognizing his authority. “No one comes to the Father except through me,” said Jesus.​—John 14:6.

●         Praying in faith, asking for more faith if needed.​—Matthew 21:22; Luke 17:5.

●         Being humble and sincere. The Bible says: “Jehovah is high, and yet the humble one he sees.”​—Psalm 138:6.

●         Being persistent. Jesus said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you.”​—Luke 11:9.

 

What doesn’t matter to God

●         Your race or nationality. “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”​—Acts 10:34, 35.

●         Your bodily position or posture. You can pray to God while sitting, bowing, kneeling, or standing.​—1 Chronicles 17:16; Nehemiah 8:6; Daniel 6:10; Mark 11:25.

●         Whether you pray aloud or silently. God answers even silent prayers that others aren’t aware of.​—Nehemiah 2:1-6.

Whether your concerns are weighty or trivial. God encourages you to “throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”​—1 Peter 5:7.