Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Granted: Sometimes Immediately

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In the biblical narrative, there are numerous instances where prayers are answered immediately, demonstrating God's responsiveness and willingness to intervene in the lives of His people. These instances serve as powerful testimonies of faith and divine action, illustrating that God is attentive to the cries of His followers and can act swiftly according to His will.

1. Elijah on Mount Carmel
In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah prays for God to reveal Himself to the people of Israel and to turn their hearts back to Him. In 1 Kings 18:37-38 , Elijah prays, "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that this people will know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again." Immediately, the fire of the LORD falls and consumes the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, demonstrating God's immediate response to Elijah's prayer.

2. Hezekiah's Healing
King Hezekiah's prayer for healing is another example of an immediate answer. In 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah falls ill and is told by the prophet Isaiah to set his house in order, for he will die. Hezekiah prays earnestly to the LORD, and before Isaiah has left the middle court, the word of the LORD comes to him, instructing him to return to Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 20:5 , God says, "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you." This immediate response results in Hezekiah's recovery and an extension of his life by fifteen years.

3. Peter's Release from Prison
In the New Testament, the early church experiences an immediate answer to prayer when Peter is imprisoned by Herod. Acts 12 describes how the church earnestly prays for Peter. In Acts 12:7 , it is recorded, "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists." The immediate divine intervention leads to Peter's miraculous escape from prison.

4. The Healing of the Centurion's Servant
In the Gospels, Jesus often responds immediately to requests for healing. In Matthew 8, a centurion approaches Jesus, asking for the healing of his servant. Jesus responds in Matthew 8:13 , "Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you." The servant is healed at that very moment, showcasing the immediacy of Jesus' response to faith-filled prayer.

5. Paul and Silas in Philippi
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are imprisoned in Philippi. As they pray and sing hymns to God, a sudden earthquake shakes the prison, opening the doors and loosening their chains. Acts 16:26 states, "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose." This immediate answer to their prayers leads to the conversion of the jailer and his household.

These examples from Scripture highlight the instances where God answers prayers immediately, affirming His power and presence in the lives of believers. They encourage faith and reliance on God, who is able to act swiftly and decisively according to His divine purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
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Daniel 9:21,23
Yes, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
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Daniel 10:12
Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words.
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Library

The Word of Jesus on Prayer.
... I want to know that there is a God that answers prayer, that I may believe ... in a fear
lest, asking for what was not good, the prayer should be granted. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the word of jesus on.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... To be sure, he often more than answers prayer. ... Solomon prayed for wisdom, and God
granted him riches and ... of her husband, and if she offers the prayer, of faith ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

Answers to Prayer
... himself repeatedly proved that the Lord hears and answers prayer! ... Her desire was
granted and my prayer was answered ... she might know that her prayer was answered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

The Ceaselessness of Prayer
... It is what makes you sure your prayer is heard and stored, whether granted or not. ...
It is prayer which answers God's gift in Christ, with Whom are already ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter v the ceaselessness of.htm

Caring for My Aged Mother
... thee." "The desire of the righteous shall be granted.". ... these old people are afflicted,
the Lord answers prayer. ... my heart that he would hear and answer prayer. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxii caring for my.htm

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... would send children; for I naturally took it for granted that there ... may need under
any circumstances, and that these many answers to prayer may encourage ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

The Delays of Love
... delay makes the deliverance the more signal and joyous when it is granted. ... these
are the right kind of things to say in a prayer. Such prayers get no answers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... I come now to the second group of miracles, those granted to the prayers of the
sufferers. ... Hence the answers to prayer must not only not be of quite the ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

The Deepest Need of the Church Today is not for any Material or ...
... to pray and whose praying was blessed with fruitful answers. ... a good but very brief
season in prayer, and then ... so satisfied that our request was granted that I ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xi the deepest need.htm

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
... everyone of my readers may obtain answers to prayers ... patience had been sufficiently
exercised, God granted this request ... in the usual meeting for prayer held in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/the hearts desire given to.htm