when do you know that your prayers are answered?

When do you know that your prayers are answered? How long have you prayed for something before you got that answer? Do you beleive that when you ask in prayer that you'll always recieve an answer?

I was told, about 15 years ago, that it's a good idea to keep a Prayer Diary so that you write down what you are talking to God about, and read through it every now and then to spot patterns in your prayers which God is answering. The speaker at that event said that we can easily pray for somthing and then, if our prayer is answered, we are too busy getting on with life to even remember our prayers and say thank you! I found that to be true.

If I look back through my 15 years' worth of Prayer Diaries (some very detailed, some pretty brief and well-spaced out) I can see prayers which God has answered. Some of those things were prayers I prayed once, and would have forgotten about if I hadn't kept a record. Some of the diaries show years of prayer before any answer came. Some show prayers where the answer was not to my liking. But it's good to have that record, and great to praise God for the answers - quick, slow, yes, no...

Prayers aren't ever answered.

Ok so you wont always receive an answer. But you also have to meet God half way. You cant just pray for something and get it immediatley. you have to work at it. a lot of times they are answered. but sometimes you have to wait a while

God know's whats best, sometime's our prayers arent what he has planned for us, so they dont get answered.

Prayers are answered all the time - just ask the many walking around today that were the recipient of an answered prayer/absolute miracle !! - sometimes the answer is quick, later (maybe years - His timing is 'right on time' - we always want it immediate), yes, no, or 'not yet' - I believe you always get an answer - our heart must be attuned to be able to hear and discern the answer - after the cross, the only sacrifice He asks of us daily is 'Praise' - we are indeed Richly Blessed !!

Okay, I think it depends for this question. The bible says that God always answers prayers. It says more specifically, that if you pray and you believe you have recieved then you will get what you prayed for.

Myself, I think it's a matter of God answering you, but not always the way you want Him to.

Couple of examples:

1.
For four years my husband and I have been trying to conceive but I am still not pregnant. I keep wondering why, and then out of no where one day a thought pops into my head. It is not time. I don't know if it was me or God, but to me it seemed like God.

2.
I got a prayer chain letter the other day. Usually, depending on what they are I just delete this kind of letter, but I prayed first and then decided I would say this prayer. It was a prayer for financial help for myself, the person who sent it to me, and to eight others who I would send it to. I remember thinking God let this be of you. So, I did it. I said the prayer and sent it on, then I went outside for a minute. I was thinking about the letter and what it had said, and the promise that somehow in eight minutes my prayer would be answered.
I kid you not eight minutes after I hit the send button, my husband comes riding up on his bike to tell me he has finally gotten a job.

Crazy right. I know what you are thinking. It had to be a coincidence. Who knows, maybe you're right. But I don't believe it. Too many times now, something I have prayed for specifically comes true, and too many times, I have gotten an answer I wasn't even aware I was listening for.

I believe we will always recieve an answer, but I believe it will not always be the answer we were looking for.

torikeene you're funny you know that? ^^

god doesnt do answers via email so stop the bull S*** god will reply to genuine preys

when there is no more war, famine, brutality, cruelty, etc...

I agree with the journal idea, and have many that I have filled over the years. It is very interesting to read back thru them. I can see my own growth, and what has happened since the writings. I highly rec. it.

Blessings...

Prayers don't get answered. Prayers are just something people use so they can feel like they're doing something useful, without actually having to commit to anything that might cost them more than a couple of minutes of their time.

On the contrary, when I've prayed, God has moved me to do more for people in need than I would have done under my own steam. God often wants us to be the answer to our own prayers.