If you’ve ever cried, “I’ve prayed and prayed and nothing’s changed!”—you’re not alone.
But Scripture doesn’t leave us wondering why.
God gives us clear guidance on what makes prayer powerful—and what can short-circuit it.
From the very beginning, God gave humanity a purpose:
“Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion...” —Genesis 1:28
Adam and Eve weren’t just caretakers. They were co-laborers with God in establishing His will on the earth. Jesus echoes this when He teaches us to pray:
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” —Matthew 6:10
Prayer, at its core, is not wishful thinking.
It’s a divine invitation to call heaven to earth.
But to do that, we must pray with alignment—our heart in sync with His. Our thoughts renewed. Our identity anchored.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” —James 4:3
Are you praying for your will to be done? Is love the motive of your prayers? I have prayed for others to change, for my benefit. That is not proper prayer, that is praying from emotion rather than from love. Your prayers should come out of kindness. If you pray from frustration and impatience, you will not be heard.
Jesus rebuked the leaders who prayed from pride and said their reward was being seen as holy by others. I would rather pray humbly in my closet and rejoice openly when God answers. Our prayers should honor others, not put them down. We have no right to judge others, only to pray for God’s will to be done in their lives. Have you prayed while angry, asking for retribution? Anger and self-seeking have no part in our communication with the Father.
Matthew 6:10 — “On earth as it is in heaven.” You’re meant to release Heaven on Earth.
What is the will of God? He tells us clearly that He desires for ALL to be saved. He does not tolerate sickness in heaven, so he doesn’t want it here either. Jesus healed ALL who were infirm. God does not rejoice in the death of His enemy, He wants the dead raised to life. God is love, Jesus is life. This is the will of God. Do not be fooled. Read His will in His word.
“Let him ask in faith, with no doubting… that person must not suppose he will receive anything from the Lord.” —James 1:6–7
If your thoughts about the prayers you prayed are full of doubt, or you pray one thing one day and speak as though it will never change, you are being double-minded, and God cannot answer your prayer.
Words have the power of life and death. Jesus told people to stay quiet and believe only. He put out those who insisted that a girl was dead instead of asleep. Make up your mind, do not let thoughts contrary to your prayers stick around. Capture them and have them surrender to God’s promises.
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Before you pray, read the scriptures that give you authority to ask for and receive what you desire. Read scripture that reminds you of God’s undeserved love toward you. Then, and only then, are you ready to seek Him. You can only receive if you believe He will reward you for being His.
“I knew you were a hard man…” —Matthew 25:24
In this version and the one from Luke 19:21 there was a servant who saw the master as cruel and was afraid to do anything lest he fail. If you see God as harsh and mean you will not receive anything from him, in fact what you do have will be taken from you. The master called this servant wicked, which means twisted. This person has not received God’s word in truth. Instead they ignore the mercy and patience and see only the judgement. They are not interested in seeing what is truly there because they have made up ;their mind.
Mark 11:25 — “Forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father... may forgive you.”
Right after teaching us to ask for our daily need, Jesus included a vital command:
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” —Matthew 6:12
Unforgiveness blocks the flow of prayer.
It disconnects us from the likeness of God, because God is love, mercy, and grace. And we are made in His image to reflect the same characteristics.
“In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” —Philippians 4:6
Jesus and the Thankful
When Jesus healed the 10 lepers, only one came back to give thanks.
And to that one, Jesus said: “Your faith has made you whole.” (Luke 17:19)
Wholeness didn’t come through the act of asking—it came through the response of gratitude and belief.
You come to God like a beggar. But Romans 8:17 says:
“If children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”
When you see God as loving, generous, and invested in your well-being, your posture changes. You don’t whimper—you partner.
You speak Heaven’s language.
You ask from your seat in heavenly places.
You align your desires with His purposes.
You forgive quickly.
You trust completely.
That’s when prayer shifts from striving… to supernatural peace and power.
In the story of the Prodigal Son, we often focus on the son who left. But the older brother reveals something deeper: he never asked for anything.
“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” —Luke 15:31
He lived like a servant when he was a son. And many of us do the same in prayer. We ask with hesitation. We approach with fear. We pray as if we have to earn the right to be heard.
But Jesus taught the opposite. We are to approach the throne of Grace with boldness, knowing we are His and that He loves us and delights in us.
“Whatever you ask in My name... the Father will give you.” —John 16:23
This isn’t prosperity gospel—it’s promised inheritance.
When you come to God as a co-heir with Christ, as a daughter not a debtor, your prayers take root.
✨ “This is the confidence we have: if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” —1 John 5:14
“In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you…” —John 16:26–27
Jesus said: Ask. Believe. Receive.
Why? Because your Father loves you.
Not because you earned it.
Not because you said the perfect words.
But because you are His.
“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms…” — Ephesians 2:6
Your spirit is already seated.
From that place, you pray with authority, not anxiety.
“In that day you will ask in My name… No, the Father Himself loves you.” — John 16:26–27
Daughter, your prayers are not ignored.
But if you’ve been praying:
…it’s time to shift.
✅ Pray from your throne seat.
✅ Ask like a co-heir.
✅ Speak Heaven’s language.
✅ Align with His will.
✅ Forgive quickly.
✅ Thank abundantly.
That’s how we partner with God in prayer.
Comment “ASK” and I’ll send you my free guide to praying from your throne seat—not your trauma.