This is where faith comes into play. “Faith is the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). I John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” From this promise of God we can know that, if we are praying subject to the will of God, then regardless of how we feel or what the devil may say, God is hearing our prayer.

Yes, but not always in the manner we anticipate. He has three ways of answering our prayers: sometimes He gives an immediate “yes” (Isa. 65:24); sometimes in His wisdom He says, “No” (Matt. 26:42); and at other times He says, “Wait awhile” (Luke 18:7-8).

Most people will say the best time for private devotions is early in the morning before beginning the day’s activities. This will solve a lot of problems.
1. It takes care of the time element. If you wait until later in the day to “find time,” you may get busy and not “find” it. First things first; give it priority.
2. It gives strength when needed, to begin with. “You must meet God in the morning if you want Him though the day.”

In Luke 18, Jesus spoke a parable to this end, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The parable concerns the widow who kept troubling the unjust judge until he said, “I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” And then Jesus added, “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:7-8). Read also Heb. 10:35-37.

Yes, God is more willing to give than we are to receive. We become desperate in prayer, not to overcome God’s reluctance, but to “break though” the powers of darkness. The Bible tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” And at no time are these evil forces against us more than when we are praying. This enemy power hindered Daniel’s prayer thee full weeks, but he persevered until the answer finally came through (Dan. 10:12).

I John 5:16 says “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he [the Christian] shall ask, and he [God] shall give him life for them [the sinners] that sin not unto death.” Moses prayed and a whole nation was spared (Deut. 9:18-19). Paul says in I Tim. 2:14, “I exhort therefore, that . . . supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men . . . For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God. . . who will have all men to be saved.” The Christian is to be an intercessor (go-between) for the sinner, and must not sin against the sinner by failing to pray for him (I Sam. 12:23).

Suffice it is to say that (1) Jesus fasted (Luke 4:2), the leaders of the Early Church fasted (Acts 13:2), and other great spiritual leaders have fasted (Moses, Exod. 34:28; Elijah, I Kings 19:8; Daniel, Dan. 10:3; and Paul, Acts 9:9). (2) We are commanded to fast (Joel 1:14; Matt. 17:21). (3) Fasting brings great spiritual results.

To pray for God’s will to be done is never a lack of faith, but an act of humble submission to Him. This attitude is absolutely essential if we are to receive from God that which is best for all concerned. There is never a higher form of prayer than saying, “Thy will be done.” In this kind of prayer the Lord may leave our circumstances as they are, but change us. An example of this is the Apostle Paul, who sought the Lord three times that a “thorn in the flesh” would depart. God didn’t see fit to remove the thorn, but did say, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Paul’s whole attitude was then changed, for he said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor. 12:7-10). After all, we can get to heaven with sick bodies, but we can’t with wrong attitudes toward God.