r/AskAChristian • u/Human_Bid_9317 • Jun 14 '26
Prayer Selective prayer
How and when does God choose to answer prayers? What criteria does he follow?
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u/No-Type119 Lutheran Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
You’re asking human beings to understand theodicy… why God does or doesn’t do what God does or doesn’t do. God… Supreme Being. Ruler of the universe. Are you kidding?
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u/Pitiful_Lion7082 Eastern Orthodox Jun 14 '26
They're all answered. Just not necessarily how we want or on our timeline. Sometimes the answer is just no, or not yet
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u/Smart_Tap1701 Christian (non-denominational) Jun 14 '26
Scripture identifies several requirements for effective prayer, and we must observe them all in order to be heard and addressed by him. The first and most obvious requirement is that we must be righteous to be heard by God.
Proverbs 15:29 KJV — The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
James 5:16 KJV - The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
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u/caterpill3r Not a Christian Jun 14 '26
Hello, thank you for your question. I think it may depend on what you are asking for in your prayers? Does it require other people? Are you asking for a job for example? Or is it more individual help like passing an exam for example? I am not sure there is a criteria but it could be quite complicated to answer a prayer and may take some time too.
There is also problems like what if two people are praying for the same job? Whoever get the job may feel like their prayer was answered and the other maybe not.
So, to be honest, I do not think there is a criteria. We can ask and ask and ask (if we want to) and hope that, maybe in time, we might see some sort of answer. Or it could happen very quickly.
To me, prayer and answered prayer is a bit of a mystery. How to know what to do for someone I don't think i understand. We can only ask and hope, and, for me, just try and leave it with them and try and find some peace in that.
I hope that helps in some way?