Many believers unknowingly nullify their own prayers by failing an important test. This test is crucial to every prayer a believer makes. If a believer fails the test, their prayers cannot be answered.
I have attended hundreds of church services and listened to many sermons, but sadly, I never heard anyone mention this test. I always thought to myself that something so basic would surely be addressed by someone.
However, as the years passed and no one mentioned it, reality began to sink in. I began to wonder how believers could experience breakthroughs without learning this test.
At first, I was scared to share this revelation because I felt there were more honorable servants of God who should share it. I was just a young man, comfortably seated in the congregation, asking myself, “What do I know that they don’t?”
Slowly but surely, I began to feel guilty for knowing why many believers were not receiving answers to their prayers and not speaking up. Today, I have decided to share this revelation so that I may be free from that guilt.
As you would expect, I have benefited greatly from this revelation. Here is one incident where this revelation made a way for me.
The test I had to pass
Some time back, I found myself in a difficult financial situation.
I spend all my time serving God, as He has required of me. As a result, I rely on people whom God sends to help meet my financial needs.
Before I committed my time to serving God, I told Him, “If You don’t send people to support me, I will not be able to continue serving You, and I don’t expect You to blame me for that.”
It was an audacious prayer, but necessary given the risk I was taking.
Up until that time, God had always sent people to meet my needs on time. But that particular month, God had different plans. When the month began, I had very little money left. At first, I wasn’t worried because I remembered the audacious prayer I had made.
However, a few days later, fear began to creep in. To strengthen my faith, I told God, “I will not beg anyone for money. You called me to teach Your word, not to beg for money.” I continued teaching the word of God without showing any signs of lack.
A wave of fear would sweep over me every now and then. “What if God doesn’t provide? What if those who advised me to work part-time and do ministry part-time were right?”
In those moments, I would console myself by saying that I was doing everything God instructed me to do, and it is not my responsibility to worry about provision.
By the third day of the month, with none of my bills paid and enough money for only one meal left, I became desperate.
That afternoon, I knelt down and prayed, “God, what are You testing me for? Have I not proven to be a faithful steward? I don’t like this position I am in.”
After that prayer, I got up to buy some ingredients with the little money I had left. When I stepped outside, the place was unusually deserted, except for one person walking toward me.
He looked weary and exhausted. Immediately, I became uneasy because he fit the profile of a beggar. “I hope he doesn’t ask me for food.” I thought, trying to avoid eye contact.
As expected, when we met, he asked for food. He told me that he was walking around the neighborhood hoping to find something to eat.
I wanted to give an excuse, but in that moment, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a revelation He had given me before. Calmly, I said, “Come with me, I’ll get you some food.”
I used the little money I had to buy him food. After that, I could not afford the ingredients I had intended to buy. I returned home and ate plain food, but I was grateful that I did not have to beg for food.
The following day, out of nowhere, God sent two people who provided enough money to meet all my needs.
God’s law of righteousness and justice
The Holy Spirit gave me a simple explanation for everything that had transpired.
“You fed a beggar when he had no means to feed himself. In the same way, you are a beggar before God, and He has fed you.”
This reminded me of a revelation the Holy Spirit had given me before. He explained that God exercises righteousness and justice in answering prayers, as seen in Psalm 97:2. ‘Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. ‘
The Holy Spirit then said that many times, when believers pray, God cannot answer their prayers without compromising righteousness and justice.
In such cases, out of His love for His children and His desire to grant their requests, He creates situations that give believers an opportunity to justify receiving their requests.
However, many believers hate these situations, even though Scripture instructs us to rejoice in them. The Holy Spirit showed me this and gave me James 1:2. ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ‘
He further explained that when believers complain or murmur during such tests, God refuses to grant their requests.
The revelation went deeper. The Holy Spirit further revealed to me that God cannot answer a prayer from someone who doesn’t acknowledge Christ.
He added that every believer must also share in the sufferings of Christ. If they respond as Christ would, they pass the test; otherwise, they fail. He then referenced 1 Peter 4:12–13.
‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.’
Practical examples
For example, if a woman is praying for a child, God may place her in situations where she must show love to other people’s children, like Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus 1:20–21: ‘So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.’
If a believer is praying for a job, they may be placed in a situation where they are required to help someone who has no means of survival, to justify receiving provisions.
If a believer is praying for marriage, they may be placed in situations where they support or uplift other people’s marriages.
I hope you understand the pattern.
Conclusion
Therefore, whenever you pray for a breakthrough, be discerning of the test that follows. Go through it faithfully, without complaining, and God will grant your request.
God bless you.