Conditions for Answered Prayer---Part II

How can we have assurance that the L-rd will hear and answer our prayers, the cries of our hearts? There are some Scriptures that are very specific and clear about this, and they should give us confidence when we bring our petitions before the L-rd.

First thing, though, we must make sure we have the foundation to having a relationship with the L-rd where we can come before His throne in prayer. This foundation is that we know Him....and that He knows us as His blood-bought child. Does G-d know you?

I John 3: 21,22--"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence
toward G-d. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we
keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the Name of His Son,
Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

I John 5:14, 15--"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
anything 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."

Once we have established our relationship with the L-rd, and realize that we can have confidence in Him to receive our petitions if we ask according to His will, then we should not be timid in approaching the L-rd to ask of Him:

Luke 11:9, 10---"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

The L-rd was telling his disciples that their Heavenly Father wants them to approach Him with their needs, and that He will provide. We should not be afraid to ask the L-rd to supply our needs. The enemy wants us to think that our Heavenly Father is unapproachable, that He is stern and unyielding. The following 3 verses in this passage illustrate how much our Heavenly Father loves His children---His kindness towards us:

"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"

But guess what?! Not only do we have a loving Heavenly Father, we also have a Great High Priest who makes intercession for us!! Hebrews 4:14-16 assures us of this:

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of G-d, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Not only do we, as blood-bought sinners, have a loving Heavenly Father, but we have a merciful High Priest in Jesus Christ. We can have confidence in Him, and bring our petitions boldly before His throne of grace! Does that not reassure your heart that the L-rd will hear and answer?!