Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them -Mark 11:24.
To receive an answer to prayer, one must first believe that what they are asking for, the Father will give it to them at His timing.
We don’t always get our prayers answered immediately, and when they aren’t, we have to keep praying and believing until God answers them. We always get an answer; it may not be now, later, or not at all. What do you do when He says no? You have to know that God knows what’s best for you, and He will never give you something that would be detrimental to your spiritual connection with Him.
If God does not give you an answer of no, then you continue to pray, believing that He will answer your prayers at His appointed time and not yours. When you pray, make sure you don’t have anything in your life that would keep you from receiving an answer to your prayer.
Prayers will not be answered if we’re holding on to offences and unforgiveness (And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses – Mark 11:25). God will never go against His Word, so forgive and release people so that your prayers will be answered.
Be specific when you pray. If you’re praying for a spouse, don’t pray that God send you a spouse; tell Him exactly what you want your spouse to be: tall, dark, handsome, educated, employed, loving, funny, respect you, and a man who is submitted to God. If he’s submitted to God, he will treat you as a daughter of God and make your life a blessing and not misery.
If you’re praying for a better job, tell God exactly what you want: salary, hours, days, position. Tell Him the distance you will travel to and from. What type of director or supervisor do you want, be specific. It’s not that God does not know what you want, but He wants you to come to Him as a Father and friend.
If you’re wavering in your faith, you will not receive an answer to your prayer because you’re being double-minded. When you pray, align yourself with God’s Word, and you will receive an answer to your prayers at God’s timing. Be willing to wait without losing faith, murmuring, and complaining. God wants to give you what you want when it’s not against His principles.
How do you know if you’re praying according to God’s principles? Read His Word, study it, and then you will know that you are praying according to God’s Word and principles.