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Biblical Promise of Prayer Answered in Jesus Christ

The biblical promise of prayer answered in Jesus Christ is a central theme throughout Christian scripture, emphasizing that access to God and the fulfillment of His promises are mediated through Christ. This promise is rooted in God's faithfulness and His covenant relationship with humanity, culminating in Jesus [2].

Access to God Through Christ A foundational aspect of answered prayer is the concept of "access to God," which the New Testament consistently links to Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that this access is "by Christ" (John 14:6; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 7:25; 10:19; 1 Peter 3:18) and "by the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18) [6]. This means that believers approach God not on their own merit, but through the person and work of Jesus. The book of Hebrews, for instance, states that Jesus has become "the guarantee of a better covenant" (Hebrews 7:22) and that through Him, believers can "obtain mercy and grace" (Hebrews 4:16) [6, 7]. This access is obtained through faith (Acts 14:27; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 11:6) and follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22) [6].

Promises of God in Christ The promises of God, including those related to answered prayer, are "made in Christ" (Ephesians 3:6; 2 Timothy 1:1) [2]. This means that Jesus is not merely a facilitator of prayer but is intrinsically linked to the very nature and fulfillment of God's promises. The "blessing of Abraham" comes to Gentiles "through Christ Jesus," enabling believers to "receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14) [9]. The Scripture "concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ should be given to them that believe" (Galatians 3:22) [8]. Adam Clarke notes that the promise of justification made to believers in Christ Jesus is akin to the promise made to Abraham, whose faith was "reckoned to him for justification" [16].

Jesus' Teachings on Prayer Jesus Himself provided direct instruction and assurance regarding prayer. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught His disciples to pray, offering a model prayer that emphasizes God's holiness, kingdom, and provision (Matthew 6:9-13) [12]. This prayer contrasts with "vain repetition" and serves as a "model of simplicity" [12]. Jesus also explicitly promised answers to prayer, stating, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7) [5]. This promise is reiterated in the context of public and social prayer, where Jesus assures His presence and answers when two or three are gathered in His name (Matthew 18:19-20) [3, 4].

Conditions and Characteristics of Answered Prayer While the promise of answered prayer is broad, biblical texts also describe certain conditions and characteristics associated with it.

The Nature of God's Answers The Bible indicates that God's answers to prayer are not always immediate or precisely as desired, but they are always good and faithful [2].

Christ's Role in the Fulfillment of Promises Jesus Christ is not only the means of access to God in prayer but also the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's "assurance" or "pledge" that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance (Acts 17:31) [1]. Through His great mercy, God has given believers "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3) [11]. The Lord Jesus is also referred to as the "Lord of peace," who gives "peace" both outward and inward (2 Thessalonians 3:16) [15]. This peace is a blessing that echoes Jesus' own words in John 14:27 [14].

The promise of answered prayer in Jesus Christ is therefore deeply intertwined with the broader covenantal promises of God. These promises, confirmed by an oath (Psalm 89:3-4; Hebrews 8:6) and established as a covenant (Hebrews 8:6), are upheld by God's faithfulness (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 10:23) [2]. God remembers His promises (Psalm 105:42; Luke 1:54-55) and equips believers "with every good thing to do His will," accomplishing "in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 13:21) [2, 10]. The prophets, such as David and Daniel, bear witness that "through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive the remission of sins" [18]. This remission is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Christ [18].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Public — Acceptable to God -- Isa 56:7. God promises to hear -- 2Ch 7:14,16. God promises to bless in -- Ex 20:24. Christ Sanctifies by his presence. -- Mt 18:20. Attended. -- Mt 12:9; Lu 4:16. Promises answers to. -- Mt 18:19. Instituted form of -- Lu 11:2. Should not be made in an unknown language -- 1Co 14:14-16. Saints delight in -- Ps 42:4; 122:1. Exhortation to -- Heb 10:25. Urge others to join in -- Ps 95:6; Zec 8:21. Exemplified Joshua. -- Jos 7:6-9. David. -- 1Ch 29:10-19. Solomon. -- 2Ch 6:1-42. Jehoshaphat. -- 2Ch 20:5-13. Jeshua. -- Ne 9:1-38. Jew”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Social and Family — Promise of answers to -- Mt 18:19. Christ promises to be present at -- Mt 18:20. Punishment for neglecting -- Jer 10:25. Exemplified Abram. -- Ge 12:5,8. Jacob. -- Ge 35:2,3,7. Joshua. -- Jos 24:15. David. -- 2Sa 6:20. Job. -- Job 1:5. The Disciples. -- Ac 1:13,14. Cornelius. -- Ac 10:2. Paul and Silas. -- Ac 16:25. Paul. -- Ac 20:36; 21:5.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  7. Hebrews “Hebrews 7:22 (BSB) — Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”
  8. Galatians “Galatians 3:22 (Geneva1599) — But the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne, that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should be giuen to them that beleeue.”
  9. Galatians “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. -- Galatians 3:14”
  10. Hebrews “Hebrews 13:21 (BSB) — equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
  11. I Peter “I Peter 1:3 (BSB) — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
  12. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
  13. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
  14. 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
  15. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
  16. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 3:17: Confirmed before of God in Christ - i.e. The promise of justification, etc., made to believers in Christ Jesus, who are the spiritual seed of Christ, as they are children of Abraham, from the similitude of their faith. Abraham believed in God, and it was reckoned to him for justification; the Gentiles believed in Christ, and received justification. Probably the word Christ is to be taken, both here and in the preceding verse, for Christians, as has already been hinted. However it be taken, the sense is plainly the same; the promise of salvation must necessarily b”
  17. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:22: we receive--as a matter of fact, according to His promise. Believers, as such, ask only what is in accordance with God's will; or if they ask what God wills not, they bow their will to God's will, and so God grants them either their request, or something better than it. because we keep his commandments--Compare Psa 66:18; Psa 34:15; Psa 145:18-19. Not as though our merits earned a hearing for our prayers, but when we are believers in Christ, all our works of faith being the fruit of His Spirit in us, are "pleasing in God's sight"; and our prayers bei”
  18. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 10:43: To him give all the prophets witness,.... As David, Psa 32:1 Dan 9:9 that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive the remission of sins; the meaning is, that whoever believes in Christ with a right and true faith, with the heart, he shall receive, not as what his faith procures or deserves, but as a gift of God's grace, the free and full forgiveness of his sins, through Christ; through the effusion of his blood, and the virtue of his sacrifice. Christ was set forth in the purposes of God, in the types, figures, and sacrifices of the law, and in the”
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