Why Pray? Will God Answer Me?

The Bible’s answer

Yes, he will. Both the Bible and real-life experience show that God answers prayers. The Bible says: “The desire of those fearing [God] he will perform, and their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them.” (Psalm 145:19) But whether God will answer you when you pray is largely up to you.

What matters to God

• Praying to God, not to Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, or images. Only Jehovah God is the “Hearer of prayer.”—Psalm 65:2.
• Praying in harmony with God’s will, or requirements, which are found in the Bible.—1 John 5:14.
• Praying in Jesus’ name, recognizing his authority. “No one comes to the Father except through me,” said Jesus.—John 14:6.
• Praying in faith, asking for more faith if needed.—Matthew 21:22; Luke 17:5.
• Being humble and sincere. The Bible says: “Jehovah is high, and yet the humble one he sees.”—Psalm 138:6.
• Being persistent. Jesus said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you.”—Luke 11:9.

What doesn’t matter to God

• Your race or nationality. “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”—Acts 10:34, 35.
• Your bodily position or posture. You can pray to God while sitting, bowing, kneeling, or standing.—1 Chronicles 17:16; Nehemiah 8:6; Daniel 6:10; Mark 11:25.
• Whether you pray aloud or silently. God answers even silent prayers that others aren’t aware of.—Nehemiah 2:1-6.
• Whether your concerns are weighty or trivial. God encourages you to “throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7.