Does God answer all prayers? The Bible portrays God as desiring to bless, free to respond to His children. He is also able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. The big question is, if all these are true of God, why is it that not every petition is granted?
The fact is our prayers will not be answered unless we have a sincere, true faith. Jesus states in Mark 11:24;
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Prayer can only be effective if it is made according to God's perfect will, according to 1 John 5:14. In many instances we know God's will because He has revealed it to us in the Bible. We can be sure that any prayer truly based on God's promises in His Word will be effective. Prophet Elijah was certain that the God of Israel would answer his prayer with fire, but he did not just seat there and fold his hands. He went on to take actions to bring it into actualization.
At other times God's will becomes clear only as we earnestly seek to determine what it is; then once we know His will about any given issue, we can pray with confidence and faith.