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Searching for stories of faith and answered prayers? Dive into the divine tapestry of the Bible’s 21 magnificent instances of answered prayers, unveiling the profound and miraculous encounters that have inspired believers for generations.
21 Examples of Answered Prayers In The Bible
Before looking into these exemplary accounts, it’s pivotal to understand the essence of an answered prayer in a biblical context.
What constitutes an answered prayer?
An answered prayer isn’t merely a wish fulfilled; it’s a divine intervention in response to genuine supplication, reflecting a belief in the divine’s benevolence. These encounters embody the interplay of faith, trust, and divine timing.
1. Daniel’s Deliverance from the Lions’ Den
Daniel’s faith-filled prayer led to his miraculous preservation when cast into a den of lions. God intervened, shutting the lions’ mouths and showcasing divine protection.
Daniel 6:22
“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
2. Hannah’s Prayer for a Child
Hannah prayed fervently for a child, and God answered her prayer by granting her the blessing of a son, Samuel, illustrating God’s ability to fulfill heartfelt desires.
1 Samuel 1:27-28
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”
3. Elijah and the Rain
During a severe drought, Elijah prayed for rain, and God responded with a mighty rainstorm, revealing God’s control over nature.
1 Kings 18:41-45
“The sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.”
4. The Healing of Hezekiah
Hezekiah prayed for healing, and God answered by granting him fifteen additional years of life after being terminally ill.
2 Kings 20:5-6
“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord.’
5. Paul and Silas in Prison
Paul and Silas prayed while imprisoned, resulting in a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors and unfastened their chains, showcasing God’s deliverance.
Acts 16:25-26
“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
6. Peter’s Escape from Prison
Peter was miraculously freed from prison after fervent prayers were made by the church for his release, demonstrating God’s intervention.
Acts 12:5-7, 12-17
“Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.”
7. Jabez’s Prayer for Blessings
Jabez prayed for blessings, and God granted his request, illustrating God’s willingness to answer prayers for abundance.
1 Chronicles 4:10
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”
8. The Widow’s Oil
Elisha’s prayer for a widow resulted in her small jar of oil miraculously filling numerous vessels, providing a solution to her financial crisis.
2 Kings 4:2-6
“The oil stopped flowing when the vessels were full.”
9. Joshua’s Sun-Standing Request
Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, and God answered his prayer by extending daylight, securing a victory in battle.
Joshua 10:12-14
“So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies.”
10. Jonah’s Deliverance from the Fish
Jonah prayed from within the belly of a great fish, and God delivered him onto dry land, displaying God’s mercy and redemption.
Jonah 2:1-10
“The Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”
11. Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Jesus’ prayer led to the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, demonstrating God’s power over death.
John 11:41-44
“Lazarus, come out!”
12. Persistence in Prayer
Throughout these stories, a common theme emerges: persistence. Jesus emphasized persistence in prayer, urging believers to continually seek God’s intervention.
Luke 18:1-8
“He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!'”
13. Trusting in God’s Timing
While some prayers were answered instantly, others required time. These narratives teach us to trust God’s timing, knowing that His plan unfolds perfectly.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
14. Power of Unwavering Faith
These stories underscore the potency of unwavering faith. Jesus emphasized that faith, even as tiny as a mustard seed, can move mountains.
Matthew 17:20
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'”
15. Can All Prayers Be Answered?
While God is capable of answering all prayers, His responses may not always align with our desires. Sometimes, His plan differs from our expectations, teaching us valuable lessons.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
16. How Long Should One Wait for an Answer?
These stories remind us that while some prayers receive immediate responses, others require patience. God’s timing is perfect, and waiting for His answer is an integral part of faith.
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
17. What if the Answer is Different from Expected?
In numerous instances, the answered prayers varied from the expected outcome. However, they always aligned with God’s greater plan, emphasizing the importance of trust and acceptance.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
18. Elijah’s Prayer for Fire
Elijah’s prayer for fire to consume a water-drenched offering was answered, showcasing God’s power and might in response to His prophet’s request.
1 Kings 18:37-39
“Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.”
19. Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
Solomon’s prayer for wisdom was answered, and God granted him exceptional wisdom and understanding, distinguishing him among the wisest.
1 Kings 3:9
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
20. Peter’s Vision and Cornelius’ Prayer
As Peter prayed, he received a vision, and Cornelius’ prayers led to a divine encounter, illustrating God’s plan to unite people from different backgrounds.
Acts 10:3-4, 34-35
“He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'”
21. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus interceded for His disciples and believers, displaying His concern for their unity and well-being.
John 17:20-21
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”
These 21 instances illustrate the power of prayer in various contexts within the Bible, demonstrating God’s faithfulness in responding to the heartfelt supplications of His people.
Conclusion
In summary, the examples of answered prayers in the Bible epitomize the ever-enduring bond between humanity and divinity, underscoring the transformative influence and unwavering faithfulness of God in response to heartfelt prayers.
