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Special Note: This is the second part of a two-part article on prayer.

You can read the first part of the article by clicking on this link: “How Does God Answer My Prayers? (Part One)


God answers prayer!

In fact, God hears and answers all of our prayers.

Often, He answers us immediately with a resounding, “YES!” And, don’t we like it when He does?

However, “YES!” is not the only way our Father will respond to our prayers.

Have you ever wondered how God responds to our prayers? Does He hear and how does He answer? That's what today's post is all about. Join us as we uncover (4) four distinct ways that God may respond to our prayers. This is Part Two in a two-part series, and it's filled with practical information, Bible verses, stories, illustrations, and quotes to fortify your prayer life and increase your faith.

How Does God Answer My Prayers?

Basically, answers to prayer can fall into one of four categories.

These are not hard and fast rules, but they can give us some insight into how God might answer and respond to our requests.

First, God can answer our prayers with a resounding, “YES!”

We ask, and God does it. We pray, and we see immediate results. The check comes in the mail, the house sells, the job offer is made, the baby is born, or some other wonderful answer to prayer occurs.

When this happens, we are usually so grateful and so glad we serve a God Who answers prayer.

For more about the way, God answers, “YES!” check out last week’s post: How Does God Answer My Prayers? (Part One)

Second, God answers our prayers with a very definite, “NO!”

He doesn’t hesitate, stammer, stutter, or delay. The Lord just closes the door tightly. At times it may feel like it slams in our faces! We may move away from a situation with whiplash because God closes the door so adamantly.

When we pray and get “NO” for an answer, this can be tough.

When we pray and get “NO” for an answer, this can be tough. Click To Tweet

However, there are times when our great and loving heavenly Father will choose not to give us what we ask for. In His wisdom, He knows that we can’t handle it or we don’t really need that person or that thing in our lives right now. Honestly, we may not understand some of these negative answers to prayer until we get to heaven.

God answered His only Son with a resounding, “NO!” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was praying. He knew that He was about to be arrested and taken to the cross.

Read the words He spoke in Matthew 26:39 when He was aware of all that was about to occur: “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will, not Mine.” Then in verse 42, He prays, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, Your will be done.”

Father God could have answered Jesus with, “Sure, I’ll let you out of this and find another way!”

But, God knew what we now know—without Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, there is no hope for us. We needed Jesus to take our place on that cross so that we might be given eternal life. God answered His own beloved Son with a, “NO!”

Sometimes, He answers us in the same way.

Open and Closed Doors

I like to think of answers to prayer as opened or closed doors. I picture myself walking down a corridor filled with doorways. As I pray, God opens some doors while He closes others. So often I am ultimately grateful for the closed doors. In retrospect, and by His grace, I am able to see how bad the circumstances in my life would have turned out if He had granted my requests.

Often, God closes the doors because He wants to open the very best option for you. It’s as if He is saying, “You don’t need that one. I’ve got something much better for you. It’s down the hallway. Don’t give up. You’re going to love it!”

For example, several years ago, my husband was overlooked for a job promotion. In my humble opinion, he was much more qualified and capable for the job than the man who got the promotion. It was a hard pill to swallow.

However, within a few months of that closed door, my husband got a phone call offering him an incredible job opportunity with another company. The new job opportunity was much better than what that job promotion offered.

If his job promotion had come through, he might not have been as receptive to the phone offer. The closed door had prepared his heart to move in a new direction.

That phone offer was ultimately much more suitable for him and for our entire family. God knew exactly what He was doing as He opened and closed the doors in our job situation. In His divine wisdom, He took care of us.

God knows exactly what He’s doing as He opens and closes the doors in my life and in yours!

God knows exactly what He’s doing as He opens and closes the doors in my life and in yours! Click To Tweet

One of my favorite verses is found in Jeremiah 29:11.

The Message shares God’s words in this way,

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

Have you ever wondered how God responds to our prayers? Does He hear and how does He answer? That's what today's post is all about. Join us as we uncover (4) four distinct ways that God may respond to our prayers. This is Part Two in a two-part series, and it's filled with practical information, Bible verses, stories, illustrations, and quotes to fortify your prayer life and increase your faith.

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He knows what He is doing, and He does it well.

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He knows what He is doing, and He does it well. Click To Tweet

Today, be encouraged and thankful for the closed doors.

Perhaps, God is asking you to delay and be still because He has something so much better that is just around the bend!

Third, God answers our prayers with, “WAIT!”

This is not a negative response or a positive one. Instead, our Father will delay and make us wait.

  • Have you prayed and had the Lord answer your prayers with a, “WAIT?”
  • Do you trust Him even when He delays His answer?
  • Or, do you get quickly discouraged and impatient when you have to wait?

When God answers with, “Wait a minute,” it’s not the same as a “NO!” Often, He will ask us to hold on and give it a little time. I can imagine Him saying, “The answer is coming. It’s on its way. Don’t lose heart! Don’t give up! I’m working on it, and I’ll get it to you very soon.”

Waiting on Brownies to Cook

Waiting on answered prayer makes me think of waiting for brownies to cook. You mix the batter, pour it in a casserole dish, put it in the oven, and then you have to wait for the brownies to bake. They start to smell so good pretty quickly. But, you have to wait for them to cook all the way through.

I find myself putting a toothpick in the brownies as the box instructs only to pull it back out with “chocolate goo” still on it. Finally, after what seems like hours, the brownies have baked, cooled down, you have cut them into nice squares, and then you finally get to enjoy the brownies.

There have been many times, though, that I’ve pulled the brownies out too early, cut them, and served them to my family. They tasted okay, but they were messy, mushy, and not as good as they could have been. When I rush the baking process, I am always sorry. I should have waited for the perfectly finished product.

Similarly, our God has us wait on His answer to our prayers. It may be that the answer is not quite “baked.” Or, it may be that we are not quite hungry enough. The Father knows exactly when the timing is perfect. Ultimately, He knows when the answer will taste the sweetest in our mouths.

In the Psalms, we are reminded to wait for God to act. Psalm 37:7 simply says, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.”

Psalm 27:14 encourages us to, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Today, be encouraged and thankful for the wait.

Perhaps, God is asking you to hold on for something so much better that is right around the bend!

It’s just not ready yet.

Perhaps, God is asking you to hold on for something so much better that is just around the bend! Click To Tweet

Finally, sometimes God answers our prayers with seeming silence.

When I’ve taught this lesson in the past, I’ve not added this final idea. However, the longer I live, the more I see that the seeming silence of our heavenly Father can be a response.

King David experienced this feeling in Psalm 22:1-2, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O, my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.” 

There are seasons in life when we feel like God is far away and unresponsive.

There are seasons in life when we feel like God is far away and unresponsive. Click To Tweet

When you feel the silence of heaven, it’s a perfect time to press in closer to the Lord than you ever have before.

It’s Like Kindergarten

A friend of mine has taught kindergartners for many years.

She told me that when she shouts, it just makes the kids louder and more agitated. Yet, when she lowers her voice and whispers, the children will start to look her way. Those closest to her will stop what they are doing and listen. The children in the back of the room will scoot up closer to her so they can hear what she has to say.

It’s possible that God, in His wisdom, will answer our prayers in a whisper—a still small voice. Maybe we need to scoot in closer so that we can hear what He has to say.

  • Are you in a season of seeming silence?
  • Are you wondering if God hears and will respond?
  • Could you scoot in a little closer to Him today?

Today, be encouraged and thankful for the seeming silence.

Perhaps, God is wanting you to scoot your chair a little closer to the front of the classroom so you can hear what He has to say.

In closing, I want to assure you that God does hear us when we pray.

And, He always answers our prayers. Assuredly, the answers may not always look like what we were expecting, but the answers will eventually come.

God typically answers our prayers in four ways:

  1. God can answer our prayers with a resounding, “YES!”
  2. Our Father can answer our prayers with a resounding, “NO!”
  3. God can answer our prayers with, “WAIT!”
  4. Sometimes God answers our prayers with seeming silence.

Have you ever wondered how God responds to our prayers? Does He hear and how does He answer? That's what today's post is all about. Join us as we uncover (4) four distinct ways that God may respond to our prayers. This is Part Two in a two-part series, and it's filled with practical information, Bible verses, stories, illustrations, and quotes to fortify your prayer life and increase your faith.


Want more on prayer?

You may want to check out one of these articles:

Why Should We Pray (If God already knows everything anyway)?

What to Do When You’re Ready to Pray Powerful Prayers

Does God Really Hear Me When I Pray? 


So, what do you think about answers to prayer?

How have you seen God respond to your prayers?

It’s always sweet to hear from you!


Join us as we take a clear and practical look at some of the most basic and essential tenants of the Christian life – the doctrines of the faith.  

Each week, we will highlight and explain a core doctrine. Then, we will pose the question, “Why does this matter to you and me?”

You can catch all of this year’s “Delight in Doctrine” posts by clicking HERE.

For the purposes of the study, our main texts will be first, the Bible, of course, and Wayne Grudem’s classic, Systematic Theology:  An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.

It is our prayer that by the end of 2017, we will all find more delight in understanding what we believe and why we believe it.

“…And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)


Were you encouraged by what you read today?

Would you share this article with a friend, co-worker, or family member?

Maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

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© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


helloredds@gmail.com

Best-Selling Author | Speaker | Blogger| Podcaster | When the world is falling apart, we can ALWAYS trust in God’s goodness!

20 Comments

Jennifer · 01/17/2021 at 2:42 PM

Hi Melanie, I am so glad I came across your post today. And that you shed some light on. ” What we can do when life is confusing?” Because the way my life has been going it has been confusing. At least I have a better understanding. Still don’t know why some of the things that has happened in my life. Has happened the way that it did. But like you said ” I guess we will get our answers in heaven”. Hopefully. Keep up the good work. And thanks for your wisdom and encouragement. God Bless 🙂

    helloredds@gmail.com · 01/18/2021 at 10:56 AM

    Hey Jennifer,
    So glad you stopped by! And, there are things in all of our lives that we don’t understand.
    Press on and press in close to Jesus.
    Appreciate you and your encouragement.
    I’m praying that God will bless you and inspire you today!
    Melanie

Carlos · 04/17/2018 at 11:43 AM

Yes, HE does !!
I ask HIM questions as well, many times I am still thinking about how to formulate it and HE answers!! HE answers the question I am still formulating in my mind !! It is not even a question YET
WOW, I am flabbergasted.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/17/2018 at 2:46 PM

    Amen, Carlos!
    Our God is so good, isn’t He!
    Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment today!
    It’s great to hear from you.
    Melanie

bethany mcilrath · 04/25/2017 at 10:02 AM

Such a great breakdown of some of the main ways God anwers us : ) I love your story on seeming silence!! Thanks for sharing this!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/27/2017 at 8:09 AM

    Thank you, Bethany!
    I’m so glad you stopped by today, and I appreciate your kind words.
    I hope you will join us again~
    Blessings,
    Melanie

Tiffany Parry · 04/19/2017 at 4:30 PM

I love the message translation of Jeremiah 29:11 and the promise that God knows exactly what He is doing. I’m so grateful that He gives us what we need, not always what we want – I’m certain His wisdom has kept me out of plenty of trouble. Thanks Dawn and Melanie for these encouraging and wise words! Pinned them too!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:43 PM

    Thank you, Tiffany, for your sweet words today!
    And, don’t you love how God always gives us what we need?
    Appreciate your encouragement and you sharing this post!
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend~
    Blessings,
    Melanie

Dawn · 04/19/2017 at 3:44 PM

I loved the brownie analogy. Sometimes, we just need to wait for God’s perfect timing, for those brownies to finish baking. You have a wonderful way of illustrating your points, Melanie. I was blessed by your words.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:41 PM

    Amen, Dawn! And, aren’t we tempted to take out those brownies early, Dawn!
    Thank you for your encouraging words!
    You are a blessing to my life~
    Melanie

Sue · 04/19/2017 at 11:16 AM

I like your metaphor of open and closed doors. ♥

To me, prayer is the centering of my thoughts and desires on God. I come to Him with all of my joys and sorrows; I come to Him in praise and confusion; I come to Him for answers to my questions and concerns–I seek Him, and what I receive is Himself. Through prayer He transforms my heart. Oftentimes, the circumstances of my life remain the same (although for the last two years they’ve gotten a lot worse!). In prayer, God reminds me that life is in Him, not in my circumstances, “Have a mind for the things that are above, not for those on earth.” He draws my attention to the thousands upon thousands of saints who suffered and died with Him, and he admonishes me, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

God has answered my prayers in astonishing ways! My mother was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. My children and I prayed St. Andrews Christmas novena for her for thirty days, and when she went into surgery, her doctor was amazed: her cancer was completely gone; in her career, she had never seen that happen. In 2009 I was pregnant with my sixth child. At ten weeks, I had some spotting and prayed and prayed that I would get to keep my baby, but everything belongs to the Lord, and I miscarried. Like everyone else on this earth, I have experienced incredible pain and loss and joy over and over again–but only in constant prayer and communion I have found Life.

Thank you for your wonderful, encouraging posts!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:39 PM

    Amen, Sue!
    It sounds like you are a woman who prays! Love hearing your stories of God’s provision and protection! He is so good, isn’t He!
    Constant prayer and communion – there is no better way to live!
    I appreciate your words and your visit today.
    You bless me,
    Melanie

Sue Donaldson · 04/19/2017 at 9:49 AM

I keep picking up the toothpick and sticking it in – maybe I just need to keep asking and keep the oven door closed on those brownies. Grateful He knows what’s best!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:38 PM

    Amen, Sue!
    Keep asking, keep knocking, keep seeking!
    Sure do appreciate you and your kind words today~
    Blessings,
    Melanie

Betsy de Cruz · 04/19/2017 at 8:42 AM

This is so good, Melanie! Thanks. I’m going to pin this all around today. It encouraged me because although I’m hearing God clearly in so many areas, two desires of my heart, one of which I KNOW is in line with God’s will, have not been answered. It seems like WAIT or SILENCE. So I appreciate your wisdom, friend.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:37 PM

    Thank you, Betsy!
    You bless me with your encouragement and with your sharing!
    And, that seeming silence is tough, isn’t it! I’m there myself in a couple of areas. Praying that God will give us both much grace as we wait and watch!
    Sure am grateful for you~
    Melanie

Debbie · 04/19/2017 at 6:49 AM

Oh how I love the mental image of scooting up closer to God to hear His whispers – thanks

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:35 PM

    Thank you, Debbie!
    Appreciate your visit and your sweet words today.
    Hope you have a blessed Friday~
    Melanie

Jill · 04/19/2017 at 5:35 AM

Great breakdown on prayer, thanks Melanie! Happy to share…:)

    helloredds@gmail.com · 04/21/2017 at 2:34 PM

    Thank you, Jill!
    Sure do appreciate your kind words and your sharing!
    Hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend~
    Blessings,
    Melanie

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