7 Keys To Getting Your Prayers Answered

Like others. . .you may have prayed for change. . .about birthing a new habit. . .turning lack into more than enough. . .and accomplishing your goals this year.

Suddenly. . .God directed my attention to Daniel 10:12-13 where He drew a direct parallel to what happened to Daniel and what may have happened to you.

“Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Here are seven keys to getting your prayers answered.

1. Fear Not

In the King James Version of the Bible we’re told nine times that we should be “born again.” So I think it’s fair to say that being born again is significant and obviously important to God. After all, He paid the ultimate price by sending His only begotten Son that we should not perish but have everlasting and abundant life. . .by being born again.

Would it surprise you to know that in the King James Version of the Bible were told SIXTY-THREE times to “fear not?” Let’s look at some of those verses. First, God wants us to eliminate all fear of failure

Joshua 8:1says:

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up….”

Second, God wants us to know that He is our salvation so we have not reason to be fearful or afraid.
Psalm 27:1 says: “THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation–whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?”

Third, God doesn’t want to us worried or fearful about what my happen tomorrow.
Romans 8:32 in the New Living Translation says: “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

Matthew 6:34 in the Message Bible says: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

Fourth, God is your helper so there’s no need to fear. Hebrews 13:5-6 in the Amplified Bible says “So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?”

Fifth, fear will flee when God takes you by the hand. Isaiah 41:9-10 in the Message Bible says: “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Sixth, God is fighting against your enemies with you so you have no reason to fear. Exodus 23:22 says: “But if you will indeed listen to and obey His voice … I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

Romans 8:31 in the Amplified Bible says: “… if God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]”

Seventh, you have no reason to be afraid because of the anointing that’s living within you. You have the Holy Spirit. . .teaching you how to manifest the anointing in your daily life.

1 John 2:26 in the Message Bible says: “I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing, no less! You don’t need any of their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.”

Wow. . .live deeply in what you were taught.

2. The day you decided

I remember hearing a man say that he went from living in his Momma’s house where she made decisions for him. . .to the Army where a commanding officer made decisions for him to his wife’s house where she allowed him the allusion of making decisions.

The humor aside. When you reach the age of accountability. . .you make decisions about your own future. There comes a point where you decide the kind of life you will live. . .and I recommend it be today. Here are seven things you should consider.

First, this is a decision you make.
Job 22:28 in The Living Bible says: “You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.”

If you’ve been living in the land of not enough. . .occasionally traveling through life with just enough. . .then you need to decide that today. . .things are going to change.

Second, you must make a decision whom you will serve. 1 Corinthians 2:2 in The Living Bible says: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. “

Third, you must decide walk in His ways and keep His Word. Deuteronomy 26:17 in the Amplified Bible says: “You have [openly] declared the Lord this day to be your God, [pledging] to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and His commandments and His precepts, and to hearken to His voice.”

Fourth, when you act on your decision. . .things begin to change. Genesis 24:42 in the New Century Version says: “Today I came to this spring. I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, please make my trip successful.”

Fifth, things change today. . .by the decisions you make or fail to make. Deuteronomy 30:15 in The Living Bible says: “Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey.

Sixth, once you make a decision. . .He wants you to keep it. Deuteronomy 6:6 in the New Century Version says: “Always remember these commands I give you today.”

Seventh, decide today. . .how you will use your time and who you will serve. Psalm 90:12 in the Contemporary English Version says: “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”
You decide. . .not somebody else. . .not the passing of time on a clock. . .you decide what you will do with the every minute of every day God has given to you.

3. Purposed in your mind

Have you ever said or had said about you. . .that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. The angel to Daniel in 10:12 that things began to change when Daniel set his mind.

Proverbs 2:2 in the New Century Version says: “Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding.” Wisdom and understanding are choices. . .so is setting your mind.

Colossians 3:2 in the New American Standard Bible says: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

There comes a defining moment in your life when you must set your mind. . .purpose that things are going to change. The word purpose is defined in part as: “to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.”

When you set your mind. . .when you purpose in your heart. . .you have the advantage of making decisions with the wisdom of the universe because 1 Corinthians 2:16 in the Amplified Bible says: “For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”

What and who should you set your mind on? Philippians 2:5 in the Amplified Bible says: “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]”

Finally, Philippians 2:2 in God’s WORD Translation says: “Then fill me with joy by having the same attitude and the same love, living in harmony, and keeping one purpose in mind.”

4. Purposed in your heart

Daniel 10:12 says in part: “. . . for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand. . .” What do we need our hearts to understand?

First, there is only One person we need to be concerned with. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 in the New Living Translation says: “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”

Second, what purpose shall our hearts fulfill? 1 Timothy 1:5 in the New Living Translation says: “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.”

Third, we must understand the seasons of God. Ecclesiastes 3:17 says: “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

Fourth, understanding of the heart. . .is not surface knowledge. . .you must go deep. Proverbs 20:5 in the English Standard Version says: “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

Fifth, pursing His purpose in your hearts empowers you fulfill His promises. Hebrews 4:12 in the Amplified Bible says: “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.”

Sixth, your understanding heart isn’t just for your benefit. Colossians 4:8 in the New American Standard Bible says: “For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.”

Seventh, always have a good attitude when giving of yourself to help others and/or for the work of His kingdom. 2 Corinthians 9:7 in the New American Standard Bible says: “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

5. Humble yourself

Here are seven things you need to know about humility. First, the secret to riches, honor and the good life is found in humility. Proverbs 22:4 which says: “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”

This is one of those. . . “if you do this” . . . “then you will get that” verses in the Bible. I like this kind of verse because it takes all the guessing and wondering out of it.

The Amplified Bible translation of this verse says: “The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

Second, God places a high value on humility. . .so the obvious question is where does it begin. Acts 20:19 says: “Serving the LORD with all humility of mind. . . .”

Third, your humility can be stolen from you. Colossians 2:18 says: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility. . .”

Fourth, humility will give you a choice between disgrace and wisdom. You would think that particular choice would be easy for most people . . . but sometimes it’s not. Proverbs 11:2 in the New Living Translation says: “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Fifth, thinking that you’re “IT”. . .the ultimate success will end poorly but humility will bring you honor. Proverbs 29:23 in the New Living Translation says: “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”

Sixth, humility is proven and demonstrated through wisdom and understanding. James 3:13 in the New Living Translation says: “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Seventh, offers specific ingredients for humility. Philippians 2:2-4 in the New Living Translation says: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

6. Your words were heard

When you open your mouth to speak or pray. . .your words are heard beyond your natural surroundings. Your words penetrated the heavenlies. First, God hears you. Psalm 145:19 says: “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

Jeremiah 29:12-14 in the Amplified Bible says; “Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity. . .”

The words that you speak to Him are not only heard but acted on. Psalm 86:5-7 says: “In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”

Second, angels hear you. Psalm 103:20 says: “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”

Saying that the angels “excel in strength” clearly indicates that aren’t some chubby little cherubims that you see in some religious art. God is dispatching the strongest. . .the most elite, warrior angels on your behalf. God’s angels can get the job done!

Next, He tells the angels to follow His instructions and obey the voice of His Word. Get ready for this. . . Child of God, when you speak the Word of God. . .you are summoning the strongest. . .most elite. . .warrior angels to work on your behalf. When you speak the Word of God, angles are commanded to obey just like Daniel 10:12-13.

Can somebody say. . .Hallelujah!

7. I have come as a consequence

Today, when we hear the word “consequences” it immediately assumes a punitive or negative connotation. That’s just not the case. The last part of Daniel 10:12 in the Amplified Bible says: “. . . I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Your words have consequences . . . you decide whether they are good or evil. Proverbs 18:20 in the Amplified Bible says: A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].”

Proverbs 18:20 in the Good News Translation says: “You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.”

The words that you speak either bring life or death. . .poison or fruit. . .success or failure. The decision is yours. Proverbs 18:21 in the Good News Translation says: “What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.”

The angel came to Daniel as a consequence of the words he was speaking. Now let’s go a little further. Everything was in order. . .Daniel did the right things. . .he spoke the right things but yet his answer was delayed. Is that how you feel?

You’ve done the right things. . .you’ve prayed. . .you’ve sown seeds. . .you’ve obeyed His instructions. . .but you haven’t experienced the supernatural breakthroughs you’ve been believing for. The Presence of the Lord is so glorious as I type these words on my keyboard. God wants you to know. . .He is saying to you. . .at this very moment.

“You’re in the midst of a spiritual battle. . .it’s not flesh and blood. . .it’s not your creditors or employers. . .it’s a direct demonic attack designed to create discouragement and doubt in your life. . .rendering you ineffective in kingdom business I’ve called you to.”

God wants you to know He’s heard your prayers. . .He knows the desires of your heart and help is on the way. Your answer is coming. . .do not despair. . .deliverance is coming to your house and it’s coming soon. Daniel 10:13 in the Amplified Bible says: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Are you seeing this? The angel was withheld 21 days. As I continue typing this teaching. . .even though my eyes are closed. . .I can feel the warmth of His smile. . .my spirit is soaring. . .as our Lord says:
“Tell my children. . .deliverance is on the way. . .I have not forgotten them nor will I ever withhold the precious promises I’ve made to them.”

Child of God, get ready to shout as I share Daniel 10:18-19 in the New Living Translation says: “Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

Your breakthrough is on the way. . .