1. How God Answers Prayer

2. God’s Spokesmen Believed God Hears and Answers
Some apparently do not believe their prayers have anything to do with what happens on earth.
God’s spokesmen believe he hears and answers
1 Samuel 12:23
Luke 18:1
Psalm 103:1-2

3. He Hears Our Prayers Matthew 6:6 Jesus promised God hears
Acts 10:4 God heard Cornelius
So, like Paul
Philemon 4 We should pray
Philemon 15 We may wonder if we understand how God answers

4. He Sometimes Says No
Deuteronomy 3:26 Moses was not allowed to enter Canaan
Matthew 26:39 Jesus had to drink of the cup of suffering – Hebrews 5:7-9
1 Samuel 12: David’s child by Bathsheba died
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not removed
Romans 8:28 All should know God is working toward our ultimate good

5. He Sometimes Says Yes
1 John 5:14 If we pray according to his will he will answer as we need
King Hezekiah
2 Kings 20:1-11 He was given 15 more years
Jonah 1:1-2:10
God did not hear the rebellious
God did hear him from the belly of the great fish and caused him to be vomited out

6. He Sometimes Adds Blessings
1 Kings 3:1-13
Solomon asked for an understanding heart and was given riches & honor
Acts 12:1-17
Apparently got more than they asked since they doubted Rhoda’s report
Ephesians 3:20-21
Exceedingly—abundantly—above
All that we ask or think

7. He Sometimes Makes Substitutions
Deuteronomy 3:23-29
Asked to enter promised land
From Mt. Pisgah he was able to see all the land
John 11:1-44
Wanted Jesus to come heal Lazarus
Received him raised from the dead

8. He Sometimes Says Wait Jeremiah 42:1-7 Job 30:20
The remnant of God’s people asked for directions
They had to wait 10 days
Job 30:20
Job did not receive an immediate answer when he cried out
Job 42:12 Blessed more than when troubles began
Luke 18:7 God will one day avenge his elect