How to Pray and Receive the Desires of Your Heart

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 Approved

Have you ever prayed for something, but felt like God wasn't listening when you didn't receive it? It's important to remember that praying isn't a sure ticket to getting what you want. Increasing your faith and finding happiness in His guidance will eventually bring about your heart's desires. Once you've strengthened your relationship with God, you'll start getting what you want out of life.

Steps

1
Address the problem--not in the negative--but by going straight for the answer with unwavering faith in your Father's will and His favor to do good things for those He loves. Do what you can.
2
Present your requests in-faith/positively (not begging and pleading) as the greatest of teachers always prayed to "Father" in a manner such as: "Father, I pray that I do well on this, and recall everything I possibly need to get through it with good results. Lord, I expect Your blessing as Your will is done in my life." This approach holds true in business, at home or in school. Ask the guidance of our Almighty Father. Always ask his permission and blessing in everything you do; don't forget to pray about your dreams in life.

Advertisement
3
Study, make sure that you understand your responsibilities and the subject; learn and show yourself as one who does not need to be ashamed when you have done your part to and have aligned you desires to do God's will! Then trust God to strengthen you.
4
Be a good workman or student who knows your own strengths and skills. Know your privileges of asking for assistance in the situation and overcome your doubt. God blesses those who believe Him and act on that faith with confidence in Him. The second you need to do is hard work to reach your dreams. Always think positive about your dreams. Always remember this saying "If others can do it, why can't I?"
5
Pray: it's your key, but your faith not only puts the key in the lock but also turns it when you believe for God's answer: "You must believe". God promises to show you His will in John 16:13, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." Jeremiah 33:3, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
6
Thank God in advance: "I know you have given me a sound mind and good ability. Help me to show your Love to others. Pray with thankfulness: "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2
7
Forgive those who wrong you. Forgive so that you can be forgiven! Be a peacemaker and peace keeper...
8
Have the things that you say agreeing in the faith: it is spiritual law that you can. Words of faith in God are the most powerful things in the Universe. God said, "Let there be light" and there was light. It was His will. Yes, it's like the law of gravity will tell you that you can't last very long walking in the air. So you must believe God's promises (His will.) are laws that are as sure as gravity. Believe to receive.
9
Rejoice in the answer which is already yours! That is what it is: it's yours. You must continue praising God for the answer whatever it is--even if you do not agree with the timing or the way it comes.
10
Choose to fulfill conditions like continuing to do "good," "trusting," "committing" (all of your ways) -- and "delighting" in the Lord.
11
Align your desires to good: loving and helping others, and with that which is "humble, acceptable, good and pleasing" for others and especially to the Lord...
12
Raise your head up. Go forward believing; look up and expect the answers to happen, and leave them to the power of the will of God. If your dreams don't come true don’t get depressed and most of all don't loose hope. Always remember that God may be preparing a better dream for you to fulfill. Remember also that in every failure and success there is always a reason. When God closes one door, He opens another.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

How to Be Blessed (Christianity)

1
Pray but first you must respect and glorify God in your ways... and His will about fulfilling the "real desires of your heart" (at your core-being) based, for example, upon how you treat others and "measure out justice" to others.
2
"Agree with God" so if ones "heart's desires" spring from believing, not doubting, loving, kindness, fairness, helping, giving, forgiving and expecting nothing in return, then there will be a good reward--possibly on this earth--because of the "desires of your heart" being right in God's view. He sees it all.
3
Do not expect God to "throw gifts around" to any who would disrespect and misuse the gift or even turn and mistreat others, cheat and lie, be unfair and unreasonable with those weaker than oneself, etc. It will never work!
4
Expect consequences now and later for "wrongs and bad desires" (being unfair, selfish, abusive)--especially if these offenses are not confessed and not repented, and if one does not forgive others of similar offenses--God knows and is just.
- Justice is coming and "you shall receive the desires of your heart," so watch the bad attitudes or your "rewards" can be opposite of your desires whether in the short or long run.
5
Decide to fulfill your "desires in God" in good ways, then: (1) seek Him diligently (2) believing that "He is" and (3) that "He rewards" those who seek Him wholeheartedly.
- One is never perfect, but "God is always just." He knows how one accepts His good graces, gifts, shares his abilities, and knowledge and how one, then forgives those who seek forgiveness and does not despise the weak or hopeless.
6
Have faith; remember God answers in His time not ours, but never give up no matter how hard the situation is. And, believe that He is already answering your prayer... it's that little thing called "faith"!

"Do not fret... or be envious of those who [cheat] do wrong... [but] 'Trust' in the LORD, and 'do good'... 'Delight' yourself 'in the LORD' and he will give you the desires of your heart. 'Commit' your way to the LORD..." Psalms 37:1 - 5 ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do to maintain my faith when my family does not believe?

Community Answer

Be courageous, and continue on your path. Don't let anyone come between you and God, no matter who they are. God will reward and bless you.
Question

What if I'm ashamed to confess incest?

Community Answer

God knows everything about you already -- everything you've already done, said, thought, and everything you will do, say, and think in the future. Call out to him, ask for forgiveness. He loves you, no matter what you have done. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Question

I have been manipulated by a deceitful girlfriend and my heart is in great pain. What should I do?

Community Answer

Let the pain run its course. Go though all the emotions you have too and ask God for strength. Above all remember things come and go, but God is forever.