Yes. No. Or wait.
Sometimes God gives us what we prefer. Sometimes God uses what we don’t prefer for our best. And sometimes God asks us to wait for what we prefer.
But when we pray, God always answers yes. “Ask and it will be given to you . . . for everyone who asks receives” (Luke 11:8-9).
God-pleasing prayers are always answered yes.
What makes a prayer God-pleasing? “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:13-15).
Prayers are God-pleasing when they ask according to his will. Prayers are God-pleasing when they ask God to do things that he has already promised to do. When you ask God to do what he has promised, you know the answer will be yes.
God has promised so many things: to work all things for the eternal good of his children, to forgive sin, to deliver us from evil. The pages of Scripture hold these assurances and many more. Before you pray, search for such promises. Because when you pray, you need promises to trust.
But what if I want something God hasn’t promised? Can I pray for that?
“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
God wants you to share all of your concerns and preferences with him. But if you are uncertain about what God’s will is yet you want your prayer to be God-pleasing and answered with a yes, add something after you share your preference. “God, if it would actually be better for me to experience the opposite of what I prefer, please do that instead. Not my will, but yours be done.” God promises that he will answer that prayer yes. He will do what’s best.
But what if I’m really confused and I don’t even know what I prefer? God makes a promise about that. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).
Promises. Confidence in promises. That is prayer.
It’s not extortion. It’s not manipulation. It’s not getting your way.
God-pleasing prayer is humble submission.
And God-pleasing prayer is always answered yes.