There can be no greater indication of a man’s relation to God, no more accurate measure of his true spiritual state, than his prayer life. This has nothing to do with how long or often he prays but everything to do with the quality of his supplications. To evaluate that, he need only ask himself whether he sees his prayers answered on a regular basis. Simply put, if he is content to go without getting answers from God, he is no different from those who never pray.

Now, there are two extremes in this world when it comes to prayer and Satan would be thrilled for you to go in either direction. The first extreme is born out of unbelief. Some men do not pray because in their hearts they’re convinced it won’t do any good. In the words of famous anti-theist Sam Harris, “Nothing fails like prayer.” A more accurate statement would be, “nothing fails like prayer without faith.”

There can be no greater indication of a man’s relation to God, no more accurate measure of his true spiritual state, than his prayer life.

The second extreme is the notion embraced by many that “God always answers prayer.” The idea is that God may answer “yes” or “no” or give us something else which is a cheap substitute. It seeks to provide an alternative to admitting that the problem lies with them, that motivations were selfish, or that sin has come between them and their God. To say that the Lord declined your request is a face-saving mechanism that leaves your heart safe and unexposed. You may continue the charade for a time, but your faith will eventually suffer, and your prayers will cease.

Addressing this error, A.W. Tozer said, “The God-always-answers-prayer sophistry leaves the praying man without discipline. By the exercise of this bit of smooth casuistry he ignores the necessity to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, and actually takes God’s flat refusal to answer his prayer as the very answer itself.” The Bible is clear on this point: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)

An answer to prayer must have two elements. First, and obviously, there must be a specific request made to God, and second, an obvious granting of that request. It is sinful pride that labels our blessings as answers to prayer when God was never petitioned in the first place. We must also avoid the pride that boasts of answered prayers to exalt ourselves in the eyes of others.

The Word of God is clear as to the conditions that must be met for our prayers to be answered. To receive an answer from God our prayers must be within the will of God. This requires a working knowledge of the Lord’s promises and an understanding of his ways. A man of prayer has learned to wrestle with God, to wait for him, and to persevere in faith.

The second condition is a life pleasing to God. “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” (1 John 3:21-22) God wants to answer our prayers and the “prayer of the upright is his delight.” (Proverbs 15:8)

So, how’s your prayer life? When was the last time God answered your prayer? Are you willing to admit to him and to yourself that you’ve failed to meet his conditions?

Let us examine our hearts and commit ourselves to pray aright. The Lord invites us to call upon him and has promised to show us “great and mighty things.” (Jeremiah 33:3)