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Formula of an Answered Prayer
2 Kings 20:5
"Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD."
The best way to learn how to do something is to study what has been successful and copy the formula that made the success. In the verse above, you will find the formula of Hezekiah's answered prayer. Hezekiah was told that he was going to die. Instead of griping and whining about his situation, he went straight to God in prayer for he knew that only God could change his plight. The result of this action and how he prayed is what gave him the answer that he needed. If you want your prayers to be answered, then you would be wise to copy how Hezekiah prayed.
The very first ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is taking time to pray. Hezekiah could not have had his prayer answered if he wouldn't have taken time to pray. One of the biggest reasons why Christians don't have answered prayers is because they don't pray. God does not answer prayers because of how eloquent they are, He answers prayers because someone prayed. God cannot answer your prayers until you start to pray. If you want to have answered prayers, then you need to take time daily to pray.
The second ingredient in this formula is to pour your problems out to God. Hezekiah did not beat around the bush with his prayer. When he prayed he got right to the point of his prayer. You will notice when you study this prayer that Hezekiah immediately prayed, and as Isaiah was walking out of the palace God came to the prophet and told him that He heard this prayer. That would mean that Hezekiah's prayer was not that long, but it was to the point. When you go to God in prayer get to the point, and pour your problems out to God.
The third ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is to remind God of what you have done. When Hezekiah prayed, he poured his problem out to God, and then he reminded God what he had done for Him. One of the reasons it is important to serve God is so that you can use your service record as a bargaining chip with God to get your prayers answered. God is more likely to answer the prayers of those who are doing something for Him than He is for the one who never does anything. Don't be afraid to remind God of your service record in serving Him when you are trying to get an to answer to prayer.
The last ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is tears. In the verse above, God noticed Hezekiah's tears. God says in Psalm 126:6, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God notices the tears of His saints. Put your heart into your prayers and don't be afraid to weep while praying for God will notice your tears.
What need do you have today for which you need God's intervention? Follow the formula of this prayer and apply it to your need and watch how God moves to answer your prayer.