How does God answer prayers?

[JohnB445]

I don't pray for physical things. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and what God wants me to do.

When reading the Bible I pray and ask what does this mean, I don't know if I'm getting an answer. A thought does pop up in my mind telling me what it means, but I don't know if its from my mind or God.

 

[HTacianas]

I don't pray for physical things. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and what God wants me to do.

When reading the Bible I pray and ask what does this mean, I don't know if I'm getting an answer. A thought does pop up in my mind telling me what it means, but I don't know if its from my mind or God.

I prayed for wisdom for years. "He gives wisdom to all without finding fault".

If a thought pops into your head it is most likely your own mind understanding something new. But it takes wisdom to recognize that. If you are praying for wisdom and you are beginning to understand, it is likely your prayer is being answered.

The difficulty you're likely to have with that is knowing just when to stop. I think a lot of people seeking wisdom prematurely think they've found it long before they have.

 

[Custodian Of Mysteries]

I don't pray for physical things. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and what God wants me to do.

When reading the Bible I pray and ask what does this mean, I don't know if I'm getting an answer. A thought does pop up in my mind telling me what it means, but I don't know if its from my mind or God.

You see, the fact is that pretty much all the steps involved in the natural human growth and development processes and other phenomena are templates and reflections of the spiritual growth and development processes.

What this means is that just as a child learns to recognize the voice of its dad by association and practice, a believer must also learn to recognize the voice of God through association (relationship) with God and His family of other believers, and the practice of God's presence.

To briefly respond to your question, "How does God answer prayers", there are two broad categories:

1. The general or non specific ways which involve the sovereignty of God over all creation and the operation of the laws He has set like softwares to run the Universe. The issue with getting your answer to prayers this way is that it is common to all and one may not even recognize the Person of God behind those answers. Example is the operation of the law of sowing and reaping.

2. The specific ways are those unquestionable and undeniable interventions of God in a person's life. This is where Divine encounters occur. This method of obtaining answers from God is basically accessed the through spiritual growth and development of intimacy with God on the thresholds of Prayer (the intimacy type), Word and Meditations.

Hope this was of some assistance?

 

[Rescued One]

I prayed for a larger dining room table so we could serve believers and unbelievers by having them over to share a meal with us. God gave me the table free of charge.

 

[BrotherDave]

I don't pray for physical things. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and what God wants me to do.

When reading the Bible I pray and ask what does this mean, I don't know if I'm getting an answer. A thought does pop up in my mind telling me what it means, but I don't know if its from my mind or God.

God can answer prayers in many different ways. In fact sometimes he answers them in ways you cannot even think of and it is not until you look back on something that you can see it. And sometimes, God answers in a way we may not like but His way is correct and best for us and His glory.

In addition to prayer (I Thess 5:17), it takes time and humble studying to come to truth. Sometimes when you think you understand something that understanding may be challenged as you learn more about your topic. When it comes to the Bible this truth seeking is a lifelong endeavor. Some knowledge God has sealed up (Dan 6:17) and will unveil, as the times require. The key is to stick with it (2 Ti 2:15) and trust that the Lord will bring you the knowledge you need when you are ready. If you don’t really get something after studying it by comparing scripture with scripture (1 Co 2:13), just move on to another area and then come back to it.

I think probably the biggest problem with the churches is that most have stopped truly and sincerely studying the Bible. Instead relying on old traditions and messages of their particular denomination (2 Tim 4:3, Mat15:8, 2 Pet 3:16). They believe they hold the truth, they are the pillar and ground of truth and have complete understanding so no longer seek guidance or correction from God.

You’ll know you have truth when you find no contradictions about your understanding in the bible.

 

[LoricaLady]

You need to know the Bible very well. If what pops into your mind is contradictory to the Word, it's not from the Father. You are wise to ask to know what the source is. Messiah talked about "the voice of the stranger" i.e. the devil. Pray for discernment. Pray for peace if the words were from Him. Wait and you will get true peace if it was.

 

[JohnB445]

My prayers were these.

Is Trinity or Modalism correct Lord? Trinity comes to mind when I have no clue which one is correct.
Will you come in secret your 2nd time Lord? No, it will be visible comes to mind.
What does the Lamb and the Bride mean Lord? Jesus is the Lamb and we are the Bride comes to mind.

Hopefully, these are correct. I have no clue if I had to figure it out on my own, but when I ask this is what automatically I think.
I then sometimes ask the Lord to give me a vision or dream when I go to bed. I ask for a dream if I am on my way to heaven or hell, and it hasn't happened. I just want to make sure I am doing the right things.

 

[Rescued One]

God will speak to you through His word and the Holy Spirit.

John 5
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.


1 John 5
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 3
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

We must believe God's word. If we don't know His word, we can't believe it. If I provide a link, it is information that I believe is based on God's word.



Read this:
Protestants Agree

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I don't pray for physical things. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and what God wants me to do.

When reading the Bible I pray and ask what does this mean, I don't know if I'm getting an answer. A thought does pop up in my mind telling me what it means, but I don't know if its from my mind or God.

I guess the question you are asking is are you hearing God's voice when asking Him a question or not regarding understanding the bible. I am of the opinion that God can certainly speak to us, so I have no problem with what you are doing. However that said, it is often good to not put 100% faith in things we feel or hear. Test it out with time, maybe write down the thoughts you get, keep a diary. Then get mature Christians to come along side you and guide you, they will know if what you are hearing is true or false. Lone Ranger faith often gets hijacked by the devil, meaning if we do Spiritual things by our selves, not with in the body of Christ, sometimes we get deceived, I have had it happen to me on numerous occasions, I have been at fault. As I mentioned about keeping a diary, if you are ever in need of some one to read it critically, to ensure it is ok what you are getting, just private message me, or may be create a thread on the forum where you get people to comment on what you are feeling.

There is a Spiritual Gifts section on this forum try there. There is no guilt or fear in getting things wrong, we all can make mistakes, it is better to test it out than to believe a lie.