God Who Listens: A 7-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSample

The God Who Answers

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Time and time again, I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness in my life. I know He is faithful because I’ve seen Him answer my prayers. 

One thing I’ve learned is that prayer is an active word. It doesn’t just require action on God’s part, it requires action on my part.

Look at today’s verse in Mark 11:24. The key word there is ask. James 4:2 (NLT) puts it plainly: “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.”

The first step in getting our prayers answered is simply to ask. Have you asked God for what you want?

Next, Mark commands us to believe. This is where faith becomes action. When we pray, we can have every confidence that God is a promise keeper. We can be certain that He is big enough and strong enough to answer every prayer. 

The final step is to receive. It’s important to approach prayer with an open heart and open hands, ready to receive whatever God wants to give us.

God won’t always answer our prayers the way we think He should. However, He will always answer our prayers, according to how He sees fit.

Generally, God provides one of three answers to our prayers: yes, no, or not yet. While our view is limited, God sees the bigger picture, and He is writing a more beautiful story than we could ever imagine.

He has our very best interest at heart. I believe He loves it when we pray big, audacious prayers.

This week, let’s practice putting prayer into action. If we ask, believe, and receive, God will do more than hear our prayers. He will graciously answer them.

And You surround me

Remind me

You always are for me

So I come boldly to Your throne.