How does God decide to answer prayer?

Question

I mean, God only answer yes, no or wait. I've had Christians confirm those are the only 3 answers God ever gives. For now, we'll ignore the fact that I could get the same response by praying to brick, and assume God is real, and once in a while answers a prayer. I'll consider this a thought experiment.

So what are Gods' criteria for responding?

Is it the sincerity or emotion of the prayer?
Is it how desperate the prayer is?
Are there points for how in need the person praying actually is?
Is it more likely to be answered if you are praying on behalf of somebody else?
Does it depend on how long the prayer is?
Does it depend on there being flowery language?
Does he pay more attention if lots of people pray about the same thing?
Does a prayer from the president or Billy Graham count more than one from John Smith?
Is it better if you pray out loud, or just in your head?
Is it better to pray for things that could happen purely by chance based on natural laws to avoid disappointment?

Answer 1

I agree with you that praying to a brick is just as effective as praying to God, but with one key difference: the brick is real.

Answer 2

Since I am NOT God, I can only hazard a guess to your questions, but here goes:

-sincerity or emotion? Yes
-how desperate? Possible. One is desperate to win a ball game and another is desperate to have their cancer cured. Even if these 2 people seem equally desperate I believe the second person's needs are more important.
-how in need the person praying actually is? See above answer.
-praying on behalf of somebody else? Well, it is my personal practice only to pray for others. I feel that if I have been a good enough person and followed His laws others will pray for me.
-how long? Length only matters in one area, my friend....
-flowery language? No, just honest.
-if lots of people pray about the same thing? I believe so. But it doesn't garuntee He will do something about it.
-Who it is from? He doesn't care, but again it must be honest.
-out loud, or just in your head? He hears either one just as well. Also doesn't matter whether you pray at home, in your car, or in a church.
-To your last question I would only say be selective. Remember God is also known as our Father. Just like any father, if you keep bugging him for things you may end up getting something not as important to you over the thing you really want. Also don't pray to make Him solve all your problems. He gave man a real big brain and would really appreciate it if we put it to use.

Thanks for the interesting question
God bless <><

Answer 3

I hear all the prayers. But I deal with them all differently, depending on the needs of the individual. Sometimes, people ask Me for things that I know are not good for them. I would be vindictive if I granted them what they asked for, even knowing full well that it would be bad for them. I will act how I will, and I will act in the best interest of all. If someone approaches Me with a desire to do what is right and to change for the better, I am very happy, and I do everything to help them in making these positive changes. I don't care if the language is flowery, unless that is what comes from the heart of the devotee. What I love is true sincerity and willingness to do what is right for righteousness' sake.

When someone is sick, there can be many reasons for the sickness. Each case is different. But sometimes when someone prays to Me about someone's sickness, I find that the need for the sickness is no longer there. So I will heal the sickness, as its purpose has been fulfilled.

I love it when My children pray for others, because it shows they love each other. But I also love the prayers of all My children, even if they are about themselves, because I see that the person wants to have their life guided by Me. And I can guide it, because they have allowed Me to.

Answer 4

We can not in a sense change the will of God because whatever God wills will occur, "Thy Will be Done!" However, we pray, so that we can become closer to God and have that special union with God. But really, how are our prayers answered, let me give one example.

I may see a homeless person on the side of the road, and I'll say a prayer for them, that's it right? No, I should become that channel through which God works to answer my own prayer. I can donate clothes or money to a homeless shelter, take the homless individual out to eat, so in all actual reality, by taking the initiative action, I can in turn answer my prayers.

I may pray God for last minute wisdom on the test, but really the answer to my prayer would come through studying.

Is it useless to pray?

No, because when we pray, we tell God that we love him. Our prayer in actual reality should be an act of adoration, contrition or sorrow for our sin, thanksgiving and supplication.

Finally to answer you individual questions, no prayer is more important to God than our own prayers. You can pray outloud or mentally, because no matter what, the God who knows our thoughts and our minds, will hear our prayers because he knows what we will ask even before we ask it.

I hope I helped.

Answer 5

God only responds to prayer according to His will. And what is the will of God? The Word of God. When you pray and ask God for something find it the bible, because His Word says, "....put me in remembrance of my Word". So here are a few things you need to do to get a prayer answered: (1) Know the will of God; find in the bible what you are praying for and bring it before the Lord. (2) Ask in faith and sincerity and believe God that you have already received what you have asked for with no doubts. Asking Him over and over about the same thing is not faith. You only have to ask Him one time and keep praising Him until it comes to pass. (3) Make sure you walk in love towards all people. If you do not walk in love, it will hinder your prayer. (4) Wait; continue to worship and praise Him with a consistent walk until what you have asked for has come to pass even if it takes years.

Answer 6

God isn't making all those rules or choices about prayer. God speaks to us through our feelings, our minds, our thoughts, our visions, but it is up to us to listen in the stillness and the loudest, clearest answere will come, when we are truly listening, sooner or later it will come. And when we don't get it, the answere that is, then God will try another way to reach us with the answere, sooner or later we will get it, if we are listening carefully. That is my experience anyway.

Answer 7

Of course God answers prayer.

Prayer is a gift.
It's the ability to speak our mind to God/the Universe/ The Creator...whatever.

There is ALWAYS an answer to prayer....everyone's prayers.
the secret is to TRUST that there will be an answer.

....and that's where everyone looses it.

Answer 8

Stop for a moment and think in order for anyone to be able to answer your question they would have to be god - do you really think he/she is here at Y/A just waiting for such a question?

Answer 9

He makes that decision based on your Yahoo Q/A score?