10 BIBLICAL PROOFS THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting a brick wall? Like God is silent, and your cries for help are always going unanswered? You’re not alone. Many of us have been there at some point in our lives, and we understand how frustrating it can be. I recently saw a post from an atheist who was trying to convince his followers that God doesn’t answer prayer. So, he uploaded a picture of a funeral gathering where a dead man was inside a casket, surrounded by his loved ones and a priest. He captioned the picture in block letters: “WE ARE GATHERED HERE BECAUSE OUR PRAYERS DIDN’T WORK.”
When I saw this mockery of prayer, I couldn’t help but wonder if this atheist is ignorant of the fact that death is an inevitable part of human existence. But you see, this is just a tiny bit of the kind of belief that a lot of people have today (particularly those who don’t know God). They have a warped mentality about God, about prayer, and about how prayer works. Most of them have tried to put God in a box and force His hands to do things in a bid to prove He exists; and when God doesn’t act based on their assumptions, they resign to the thought that prayer doesn’t work, or that God doesn’t answer prayer. Sad, isn’t it?
Well, contrary to such views, God does answer prayer. I know this because I have God’s word as my final authority in every matter, and whatever it says, is truth (John 17:17b). In Psalm 65:2, the psalmist referred to God as the One who hears prayer. This tells us that God is eager to hear us speak to Him in prayer and wants to respond to us. Similarly, Jesus encouraged us to pray because it is only those who pray that will receive answers (Matthew 7:7-8, 11; Luke 18:1-7). However, the only thing that hinders God from answering our prayers is sin, doubt, and not asking according to His will (Isaiah 59:1-2; James 1:6-8, 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15).
As believers, we cannot do without prayer. It is a fundamental aspect of our faith through which we communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is also a way of drawing closer to God on a daily basis, and establishing a personal relationship with Him. The implication of this is that when a believer doesn’t pray, his connection with God is severed and his spiritual life suffers. No wonder Jesus never traded his prayer time for anything. It was His custom to commune with His Father daily. He knows that if we do not watch and pray, we will eventually fall (Matthew 26:41a). This shows that prayer is not just a meaningless ritual, but a platform through which we draw strength from God our Source and receive His help.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who prayed, and how God responded in mighty ways. There’s this consistent pattern of God answering prayers which cannot be brushed off simply as coincidence. The parting of the Red Sea, for instance, couldn’t have been a coincidence. This not only proves God’s willingness to listen, but also demonstrate His power to intervene in human affairs.
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we cannot deny that God is intimately involved in the lives of those who seek Him earnestly through prayer. And that’s what we seek to examine in this paper: the fact that indeed, God answers prayer. What you are about to read is just a tip of the iceberg of God’s faithfulness. Let’s dive in:
1. GOD ANSWERED THE PRAYER OF THE TAX COLLECTOR:
There are times we feel like we’re just not good enough. Like when we’re stuck in a cycle of sin and shame, and we don’t know how to escape. If you can relate, that’s exactly how the tax collector felt in Luke 18:9-11. He was a man who had spent his life taking advantage of others, and now he was faced with the weight of his own sinfulness. But instead of trying to justify himself or make excuses, he did something remarkable – he prayed (Luke 18:13). He acknowledged his sin and cried out for mercy. And guess what? God answered!
One of my pastors would always say that if everything else fails, mercy never does. While the prayer of a sinner is an abomination before God, his cry for mercy will always be answered. When the tax collector cried out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”, his sins were forgiven on the spot! Jesus even said that the tax collector “went home justified” (Luke 18:14), which is just a fancy way of saying that God welcomed him back with open arms.
So, what does this mean for us? It means that we can come to God (in prayer) just as we are, with all our flaws and mistakes, and He will answer us. We don’t have to pretend to be perfect or try to earn our way into God’s good books. That’s the kind of God we serve – a God who is merciful, gracious, and always willing to listen to our prayers. He forgives sins, and that alone, is an undeniable proof that God answers prayer (1 John 1:9).
2. GOD ANSWERED KING HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER FOR HEALING:
Let’s picture a situation where someone is on their deathbed, with no hope of recovery. The doctors have done all they could and everything points to one fact: there’s no cure for the sickness and death is the only certainty. That’s where Hezekiah found himself, terminally ill and desperate for a miracle. In fact, he had been reliably informed that he would not recover and should put his house in order (2 Kings 20:1). But instead of giving up, he turned to God in prayer. He poured out his heart, reminding God of his faithfulness and devotion. And then, something incredible happened. God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that he would recover from his illness. He even added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life!
Each time I come across this story, it blows me away because it shows us that answers prayers, even when things seem impossible and “finalized” (cf John 11:38-39). Hezekiah was honest with God about his situation, and he came to Him with humility. And God? He responded with mercy and healing! This should encourage us to be real with God about our own struggles and illnesses. And to come to Him with confidence, knowing that He cares about our well-being and wants us healed (Matthew 8:2-3; 3 John 2).
I think we can all relate to Hezekiah’s desperation at some point in our lives. We may be struggling with chronic pain, mental health issues, or relationship problems. We are reminded here that God is still a healing God, who answers prayers and restores our health (Exodus 15:26). All we need to do is never to lose hope, but come to Him with faith and humility, just like Hezekiah did. He will answer.
3. GOD ANSWERED THE ISRAELITES’ CRY FOR DELIVERANCE:
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. They were trapped, with no escape from the brutal treatment of the Egyptians. But in their desperation, they cried out to God for deliverance. As the Bible says, “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and THEIR CRY FOR HELP because of their slavery WENT UP TO GOD” (Exodus 2:23, emphasis mine). And God heard their cry! He saw their suffering, and He came to their rescue by sending Moses to lead them out of slavery and into the Promised Land, just as He had promised (Exodus 3:8).
I have learned through experience and the scriptures that God often shows up when we are at our wits’ end. We may have tried to turn things around through human efforts (just like Moses, who killed an Egyptian, only to find himself on the run). However, Psalm 107:28 tells us that it’s God alone who has the ability to bring us out of our predicaments, so we must quit trying. We only need to pray. That scripture says, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” This proves that our God hears and responds to our prayers.
Again, it’s not just ancient history! We see this same pattern played out in our own lives. Think about it – when was the last time you felt overwhelmed and cried out to God for help? Maybe it was during a very common problem like a financial struggle. Whatever it was, I bet you can look back and see how God showed up and helped you through it. The formula is simple: you prayed; God answered (Psalm 3:4).
4. GOD ANSWERED HANNAH’S PRAYER FOR A CHILD:
One of the most prominent examples of God stepping into a situation through prayer, is that of Hannah, when she was trusting God for a child (1 Samuel 1:10-11). Hannah was childless, and her co-wife would often mock her for it. But instead of giving up, Hannah poured out her heart to God at the temple. She was so desperate that she even made a vow to God, promising to dedicate her child to His service if He would only grant her request. And as expected, Hannah prayed and God answered her prayer! She gave birth to a son, Samuel, who would go on to become one of Israel’s greatest prophets (1 Samuel 3:19-21).
There are quite a number of lessons we can learn here, apart from the fact that God answers prayer. First, we learn the importance of “perseverance” and “faith” in prayer, as these guarantee answers. Hannah didn’t give up, even when her situation seemed to linger. She kept praying, and God eventually answered her prayer in His own time. That God didn’t answer your prayer immediately doesn’t mean He won’t! Also, don’t just pray and then worry about the outcome. You must have faith if you really believe in God to answer. And finally, we learn that God’s answers to our prayers are not just about us, but about His bigger plan. Hannah’s son went on to serve God and lead Israel, which was far beyond what she prayed for. The truth remains: God answers prayer, in ways we expect or not.
5. GOD ANSWERED MOSES’ PRAYER FOR ISRAEL:
Another example that God answers prayer can be found in Exodus 32. When the Israelites rebelled against God and worshiped the golden calf, God was furious and wanted to destroy them (Exodus 32:10). But Moses stepped in and prayed, “Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people?” (Exodus 32:11). He reminded God of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and begged Him to spare the Israelites. This reminds us of Psalm 106:23, which says, “So he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.” Moses’ prayer was a turning point, and God relented! This story shows us that God answers prayers, especially when we intercede for others. Even Jesus did the same in John 17:20-23.
Let this encourage us never to give up on people, but to pray for them continually. They may have messed up or made mistakes, but we can come to God on their behalf, asking for mercy and forgiveness, and trust that He’ll answer our prayer. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Remember, God is ready to answer, but there must be someone standing in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30).
6. GOD ANSWERED SOLOMON’S PRAYER FOR WISDOM:
There are many times we feel like we are at the crossroads of our lives. We know that God has plans and purpose for us, yet, we are confused on which way to go. This is where scripture tells us to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5). How? Though prayer! Look at Solomon. He became the king of Israel at a very young age. He lacked experience, and he knew he needed help to lead God’s people wisely. So, he did the most natural thing a believer was expected to do – he prayed. He asked God to give him the knowledge and insight he needed to make good decisions. And your guess is as good as mine, God answered (1 Kings 4:29)!
The truth is, God is more than willing to give us what we need to fulfill our calling. One thing about Solomon’s story here is that prayer is not just about getting what we want; it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s plans and purposes. Any prayer that aligns with His will and purpose is sure to receive an answer. But pray we need to pray first (Matthew 7:8a).
7. GOD ANSWERED ELIJAH’S PRAYER FOR RAIN:
Elijah’s prayer is an incredible example of how God answers prayers. It is incredible because what happened was unconventional. But you know what? God can do the impossible if only we can pray (Luke 1:37). For three and a half years, Israel had been in a severe drought, and the people were suffering. Elijah had been praying for rain, but nothing seemed to be happening. Yet, he didn’t give up. In 1 Kings 18:41-46, we see Elijah praying again, this time with a sense of urgency and expectation. He told his servant to go look for rain, and when the servant returned saying there was nothing, Elijah didn’t lose faith. He kept praying, and eventually, a small cloud appeared on the horizon. This small cloud was just the beginning. As Elijah continued to pray, the cloud grew bigger and darker, until finally, a heavy rain poured down, ending the drought (1 Kings 18:45).
This miraculous answer to Elijah’s prayer shows us that God is always listening and always willing to answer our prayers, even if it means doing the unexplainable. Just like Hannah’s prayer which we discussed earlier, we also see perseverance at play here. Elijah didn’t give up, even when it seemed like nothing was happening. Secondly, we learn to trust in God’s timing. Elijah prayed, but he also waited on God’s timing. Another lesson is that God often answers prayer in unexpected and miraculous ways.
It may sound like a fairy tale, but here’s what Apostle James has got to say: “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops”. Elijah wasn’t a spirit but a man like us. The only difference is that He prayed and got God involved. Before you conclude on that “impossible” situation, have you prayed (Matthew 17:20)?
8. GOD ANSWERED THE PRAYER OF THE EARLY CHURCH FOR PETER’S RELEASE:
When the early church prayed for Peter’s release from prison, they were exercising a fundamental truth of the Christian life: the power of prayer. It was Jesus who taught in Matthew 18:19 that when we come together in agreement to pray over a thing, God answers. And that’s exactly what the church did. They took Jesus at His word, gathering together to pray for God’s intervention. And God intervened, sending an angel to rescue Peter from the jaws of death (Acts 12:5-11).
This incident illustrates the biblical principle that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). When we pray, we’re not just sending wishes into the air; we’re touching the very heart of God, who is always listening to the cry of His people. We’re inviting Him to intervene, to bring His power and wisdom to bear on our situation. When we pray, like the early church did, we bring hope into situations that could have been made worse. There is a thing called “divine intervention”; that’s the act of God answering prayers.
9. GOD ANSWERED DANIEL’S PRAYER FOR WISDOM AND INSIGHT INTO THE KING’S DREAM:
When King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream, he demanded that his wise men tell him the dream and its interpretation. But when they couldn’t deliver, Daniel stepped in, asking the king for time to pray for wisdom (Daniel 2:1-18). Daniel knew that he couldn’t rely on his own abilities to interpret the dream, so he turned to God, praying fervently for wisdom and insight. As expected, God answered Daniel’s prayer. He gave Daniel a vision of the dream and its interpretation, revealing the secrets of the king’s heart (Daniel 2:19-23).
Now, this was no ordinary answer to prayer; it was a demonstration of God’s power and wisdom, showing that He is the one who “reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him” (Daniel 2:22). When we pray, we can trust that God is reviewing our situation, considering every detail, and working out His plan for our deliverance.
Daniel’s prayer not only saved his own life but also the lives of the other wise men who were condemned to death (Daniel 2:24). This is proof of how God answers prayers and brings deliverance to His people. When we pray, we can trust that God will answer and work out His plan for our deliverance from death and destruction (Psalm 107:19-20).
10. GOD ANSWERED JESUS’ PRAYER FOR LAZARUS:
Can you imagine receiving news that a loved one has passed away? The grief, the shock, the feeling of helplessness? That’s Mary and Martha right here, when their brother Lazarus fell ill and died. But in the midst of their sorrow, they sent word to Jesus, asking Him to come and heal their brother (John 11:1-3). By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days, and Mary and Martha were beside themselves with grief. But here’s the amazing part: Jesus didn’t just offer condolences; He offered hope. He told Martha, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23), and then He prayed to the Father (John 11:41-42). One thing led to the other, and the “rotten” Lazarus was back on his feet, hale and hearty (John 11:43-44).
The implications of this miracle are staggering. If God can raise the dead, what can’t He do? If He can answer Jesus’ prayer and bring Lazarus back to life, can’t He answer our prayers and bring life to our own situations? The answer, of course, is yes. Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” When we pray, we have full trust that God will answer, bringing life and hope to our lives, just as He did for Lazarus. As far as prayer is concerned, God’s answer never comes late.
In conclusion, our journey through these ten biblical examples has made one thing clear: God is the real deal. He’s not some distant figure who is too busy to care about our problems. No, He’s a loving Father who leans in close, listening to every word, every cry, every whisper. He’s a God who answers prayer. He shows up in the darkest moments and brings hope to the hopeless. Just think about this promise in Jeremiah 33:3a: “Call on me and I WILL ANSWER you…”. If God says He answers when we pray, then it’s definitely true!
So what does this mean for us? It means that we can be vulnerable, be expectant, and humble before God when we pray. We can pray knowing that God is listening actively, that He cares, and that He wants to show up in our lives if we only we will involve Him. We can pray with confidence, knowing that He’s a God who keeps His promises. And we can pray with persistence, knowing that He’s never tired of hearing from us, but delights in our prayers, and will answer in His own time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
So, if you are ready like I am, let us pray!