Just because you pray doesn't mean that you'll receive everything you ask for. While communication with God may seem ethereal and unpredictable, there is a method to getting prayers answered that can be generally followed. Figuring out the will of God is the first step and getting your desires, and that's followed by surrendering your will to His. Dealing with any unresolved bitterness and sin are also important.
Instructions
1. Understand what the scriptures already say about prayer. The Bible is a complete book and provides all the instruction you need to get your prayers answered. Do a complete study on prayer so that you fully understand. Begin by looking up the words "prayer" and "pray" in a concordance. Even better, use Strong's for a thorough, in-depth understanding (see Resources below).
2. Put your knowledge into practice. James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." In order to get your prayers answered, you have to follow what you've learned in your study of prayer.
3. Think of prayer as a two-way communication with God. Consider how you feel when someone does all the talking an doesn't let you get a word in edgewise. As we are created in God's image, we can understand that God doesn't like it any more than we do. Let him have a turn in the conversation by just waiting for him to speak.
4. Adjust your life and your desires based on what you hear. The key to having your prayers answered is getting on the same page as God. God wants to give you the desires of your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6), but he's also a protective father. Asking him for the right thing will produce a "Yes, of course" response. Because he loves you, he won't give you things that aren't good for you at this time, even if you ask.
5. Deal with any unresolved sin issues or struggles with other people that would affect your communication with God. Sin, bitterness and anger are rocks that block the flow of the Spirit in your life.
