The privilege God has given us through prayer is indeed a blessing. He designed it as a means for us to communicate with Him; so that He can bless us each time we bring our requests to Him.
More so, God has given us a blank cheque through conversing with Him. This blanket cheque is an invitation to ask anything in His name (See John 14:14).
So, when you feel God is not listening to your prayers, you need to look inwards. In your reflection, you’ll discover signs that God is actually listening to your prayers.
To help you, I’ll share 13 signs God is listening to your prayers. But first, let’s consider what can hinder prayers from receiving answers.
What Stops God from Hearing Our Prayers?
Many factors hinder our prayers from being answered. Most of which result from mistakes we make in our daily lives. God is always happy to hear from His children. But we won’t get the blessings we deserve if our ways go contrary to His precepts.
So, here are nine factors that stop God from answering our prayers:
1. Doubt, Unbelief, and Lack of Faith.
Some pray but with doubt in their hearts and a lack of faith in God. However, the Scripture says – Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that rewards those who earnestly seek him – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV).
3. Lack of Love.
One of God’s greatest commandments is love; failure to adhere to this commandment can make your prayer go unanswered. When we love, we must be willing to forgive, sacrifice, and live in peace with everyone.
This is why Scripture admonishes us to follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see God. (Also, see Proverbs 17:9; 21:13, Luke 6:38). Living with love will not only result in answered prayers. But will also attract God’s mercy and blessings.
3. Pride, Jealousy, and Selfishness.
Sometimes when we pray or do anything beneficial, it’s important to consider those around us. Do well to stay humble and selfless.
This is because being proud and selfish minimizes your chances of receiving God’s blessings. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures – James 4:3 (NIV).
4. Unforgiveness.
Because we serve a merciful God, our prayers will go unanswered if we do not follow His example. God forgives our sins and welcomes repentant sinners regardless of the nature of their sins. So, if we do not extend the same grace and forgive those who offend us, God may not hear our prayers.
5. Prayers Not in Line with God’s Will.
God, as our Creator, knows what’s best for us. But, unfortunately, there are prayers we make that do not align with His will. So, when you do not receive answers to your prayers despite your righteous living, it is a sign that you may be praying amiss.
6. Unconfessed Sins.
If we do not confess and repent from our bad habits and sins, we will reap what Proverbs 10:24 says. What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted (NIV).
In other words, sin poses one of the greatest hindrances to answered prayers.
7. Praying to Impress Others.
Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV): And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.
I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your unseen Father. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This Scripture says it all, a prayer offered with the intent to impress some will certainly not receive any answer.
8. Ignoring God’s Words.
If an individual, even a professed believer, refuses to heed God’s guidance, their prayers will become detestable to the Lord (See Proverbs 28:9).
This includes rejection or not acknowledging the Bible’s authority as God’s commands. God gave us His word – the Bible to guide us. Therefore, rejecting it is like making light of His instructions.
9. Living in Sin –
Psalm 66 highlights another factor that stands between God and our prayers. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18 (NIV).
Also See: 7 Proven Ways Christians Experience Joy In Jesus.
13 Signs God is Listening to Your Prayers.
Live A Victorious Christian Life
1. When Things Consistently Go Well in Your Life.(Psalm 66:17-20)
When you are full of testimonies when good and remarkable things out of the ordinary are happening in your life, know that God is listening to your prayers and answering them.
It might not be that God has answered what you precisely asked for. But things are generally working together for your good. Remember that God’s will for us may not be our desires. But it is always beneficial.
Therefore, your asking has invoked the fulfillment of His marvelous will upon you, which is a great sign that He hears your prayers.
2. Surviving Dangerous Situations. (Psalm 18:6)
t is not by power or wisdom that we overcome serious challenges or dangerous situations. But by God’s grace and mercy; we experience more of this when we pray without ceasing.
If you recently ‘escaped’ a dangerous situation or have always escaped dangerous situations, you should know that God has been listening to your prayers. Especially your prayers for divine protection. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Romans 10:13 (NIV).
3. Receiving Divine Solutions to Problems.
There are moments in our lives when making a decision becomes difficult. If all of a sudden, remarkable ideas start popping into your head or someone close to you comes up with the solution to what has been troubling you; this is a sign that God indeed listens to your prayers.
When you experience something like this, don’t be overwhelmed; know that God has probably been listening to your prayer for wisdom and understanding. And He likely chose that time to answer. God honors His word such as this – Call to me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know – Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV).
4. When You Attract God’s Favor. (1 Peter 3:12)
Another sign that God is listening to your prayers is when things consistently go well for you without much struggle.
For instance, God’s hand of favor was with Moses when He led the Israelites out of Egypt. As a result, he was able to perform miracles effortlessly. For this, Moses even acknowledged God in Exodus 33:12.
5. If You Have Experienced Transformation. Revelation 22:17
Deliverance comes to those who earnestly pray to God. So if you notice transformation or a massive turnaround in your life; especially if it has to do with your character, it means God is listening to your prayers and granting you deliverance.
6. When Those Around You Begin to Have Testimonies.
Our prayers must affect those around us positively. So when the family, friends, or close associates you have been praying for start experiencing testimonies and outstanding breakthroughs; you should know God has been listening to your supplications concerning them.
The Bible challenges us to call the elders of the church to pray over him (the sick) and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. – James 5:14 (NIV). That is to say; your prayer has an impact on those around you.
So look at the lives of your loved ones today and see how God has blessed them through your prayers!
7. If You Have Peace.
If, after offering prayer and you feel your troubles have been taken away, it’s a sign that God is listening to you and lifting your burdens. Experiencing peace even amid troubles is a sign and assurance that God is listening to you.
It also indicates He is on your case and will meet your needs as He promised in Philippians 4:19 (NIV) – And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
8. If You Feel God’s Presence. (Matthew 18:20)
If after praying and you feel an overwhelming presence comforting you, then your prayers have reached the heavens. Be sure that the Lord listened and is already granting your request.
He is faithfully charting a way to fulfill the plans He has for you (See 2 Corinthians 4:17). The awe and peace you feel at that moment is the Holy Spirit comforting you.
9. Dreaming About Receiving Answers to Your Prayers.
Dreams are a common medium of receiving messages from God.
So if the event in your dream relates to what you asked God for in prayers, then it could be the Father giving you an answer to your prayer. God has many ways of answering prayers; dreams are one of them.
10. Hearing a Voice.
The Lord has manifested Himself to different people in different ways. Like He did to Saul, Samuel, and many other people in the Bible, He could reach out to you while you are praying and speak to you at that point.
This could also come in the form of a calm feeling or an inner voice directing or assuring you about a matter. You should relax at such times, knowing that God will never fail you. In a nutshell, this is a great sign that God is listening to your prayers and will bring your request to fulfillment in due time.
11. When You Receive an Unsolicited Godly Counsel from Someone.
Just as God uses people to speak to our lives, He also uses others to answer our prayers. The church of Christ is filled with Spirit-filled people. God could use these people as vessels for answering our prayers.
Additionally, the community of believers could be instrumental in answers to our prayers. Especially if it has to do with godly counsels or knowing God’s mind about a matter. However, you must test every counsel you receive using Scripture to ensure it aligns with God’s Word.
12. If You Experience Divine Healing.
Perhaps this is the most common sign God is listening to your prayers. If you have been praying for deliverance from a bad habit or illness, you could receive healing without unexpectedly. It could be a change from an old habit or sudden disappearance of pain from your body.
Whichever it is, it is a clear sign that God has been listening to your prayers. So, don’t ignore any signs of changes in your life or the lives of those you are praying for; it could be the hand of the Lord working as a result of your prayers.
13. Seeing Visions and Traces.
In some cases, prayers and intercessions are answered through visions and trances. Therefore, you can receive answers to your questions through visions and trances. The Lord may speak to you through this medium with instructions on what to do.
As a Christian, an intimate connection with the Holy Spirit will guarantee this. So, the Lord could choose to reveal the solutions to your problems through trances. It could come at any point as an awakening. When this happens, go on your knees, pray for the physical manifestation, and worship God for being ever faithful.
Conclusion
Every child of God devoted to prayer should trust infinitely in His mercy and goodness. Each time we fall on our knees and call on God the Father, we must have faith that He listens and will never fail to answer.
Meanwhile, if the answer you have asked for takes too long, you may wonder if praying is worth it. But remember that God is not a man. As such, He will never fail to uphold His promises.
He answers each of us in His time and according to His will. His will supersedes our desires, and the delay might be because He’s answered our prayers in the way most beneficial for our situation.
