"How To Get Your Prayers Answered"

So what do atheists do in response to personal crisis or tragedy? The same thing most Christians do--they pray.

That's right, folks, one in four non-believers pray despite not believing in God, according to a recent poll conducted by ComRes, a UK polling firm.

While this survey was taken in the UK, U.S.-based Pew Poll had similar results when it came to peoples prayer habits. It seems the majority of us like to multi-task, calling on God while:

• cooking --20%
• exercising--12%
• doing household chores--20%

Popular prayer topics include:

• family--71%
• thanking God--42%
• healing--40%
• friends--40%

The sad thing? Less than half of those who prayed believe God actually hears their prayers.

The truth?

God hears everything: the good, the bad and the ugly--including our prayers.

CBN writer Linda J. Gilden insists , "God hears your prayer. He delights when we come to Him and ask Him to help us. He wants to give us the things we need. Sometimes the answers we get to prayer aren't what we want or expect or they take longer than we think they should."

Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted. My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great joy to My Father." John 15:5-8

Here's how evangelist Greg Laurie unpacks this message:

1. A Disciple Stays Close To The Master. You sink your roots deep into your relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to fill every part of your life. If you maintain this unbroken fellowship with God, a changed lifestyle will result.
2. A Disciple Is Fruitful. Just as a branch can only be fruitful when attached to the vine, we can only be productive when we draw our strength from Jesus.
3. A Disciple Obeys The Master. A clear sign that you are Christ's disciple is your obedience to the principles and guidelines found in His Word, the Bible.
4. A Disciple Loves Others. This may mean placing someone else's needs before your own.

If our prayers seem to go unanswered, maybe we should "poll" ourselves to see if we are true disciples. When we want what God wants, our prayers are always answered.

A wise man once said: "Studying the Bible is important to every Christian's spiritual growth. Without Bible study, Christians cannot know and understand God's commands and truth." -- Greg Laurie, pastor/evangelist

"I have told you this so you will be filled with My joy." John 15:11

News:

• The Hill: Poll: Oprah outperforms many top Dems in hypothetical election against Trump.
• Pew Research Center: 75% say it is never acceptable for a news organization to favor one political party over others when reporting the news.
• Facttank: Just 50% of U.S, adults get news from television, down from 57% in 2016.