Answered Prayers – Conditions (Part 2/2)

Today we want to continue with the second and final part about answered prayers. We have already seen that we need faith in God so that He can answer our prayers. Likewise, we should forgive others, pray in the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, and live in communion with God and His Word. Today we’ll read 1 Peter 3:7:

"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."

God, in His wisdom, has given us marriage so that we may enjoy it as husband and wife and at the same time be a picture of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and His assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More. In marriage, husbands and wives have different duties and responsibilities. This verse is specifically addressed to husbands, because wives need special care. This care is necessary so that our prayers are not hindered.

God wants us to live together according to the different nature God has given to man and woman. A woman is referred to here as a weaker vessel. A weaker vessel needs special attention, care and tender treatment—not only in relation to the body but also in relation to the soul. A cold, harsh word is felt much more by a woman with her tender heart than by a man.

Weaker does not mean spiritually weaker, but really physically and emotionally weaker. And so husbands should give all honor to their wives and never despise the weaker one. The Bible clearly shows us in several places that it is precisely the weak that is precious to God. As husbands, we are required to honor our wives, to guide and protect them, with all care and love.

We know that as men we are especially in need of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More to do this. This leads us to prayer, preferably into the united prayer of husband and wife together. What a pity if we cannot bend our knees together because of misconduct. Even if we pray together, but our inner thoughts are not in agreement, our prayers are hindered. How can God accept united prayers when in reality they are not united at all?

If we go to the book of Proverbs, we read of another hindrance to answered prayer. Proverbs 21:13 says, "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, will also cry himself and not be heard." So if we are indifferent to the need of others, then our prayers will not be heard. If our hearts are cold, how will God hear our prayers? If we "put on Christ," our hearts will be warm and always give a fitting response to the needs of others. And we will then also experience God answering us in times of need!

We also find a reference to unanswered prayer in the letter of James. James says in James 4:3: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." It may be that something is wrong with our prayer. We must ask ourselves what our request is and what motivations guide us in making that request.

In general, the first thing we ask for is that our particular problems will end, for example. But what specifically are we asking for? Have we also asked for wisdom, that our requests correspond to His will? And what motivation drives me to pray? Is my only desire that ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More be glorified or is it also for my own glory?

Sometimes God also makes us wait so that our hearts may be changed. He wants us to look at things more and more from His point of view. He wants to change us but also at the same time show us His glory and greatness. Let us trust Him, let Him prepare us and then also accept every answer as coming from Him. Then we will experience more answered prayers in a wonderful way—very specific and very personal!