How Do I Get Answers?

Imagine you’re at a place where you feel comfortable pouring out your heart in prayer. You ask for help, express gratitude, admit your mistakes, and express a commitment to try harder. You aren’t just reciting empty words, you are talking to God. But what if you’re doing all that, and you’re still not sure God is saying anything back to you?

Well, it means you’re human. Everyone struggles getting answers to prayers at one time or another. Part of the reason why it can be hard is because God can answer prayers in so many different ways. But one of the most consistent ways God answers prayer is through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, sometimes referred to as the Spirit, is one way that God comforts, instructs, warns, and guides us. When you pray, you probably won’t hear an actual voice talking to you, but you can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in your hearts.

From the scriptures

What does the Holy Ghost feel like? When you're praying, pay attention to the following feelings which the Bible lists as "fruits of the spirit."

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Galatians 5:22–23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

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Feelings like these are how God communicates with you while you’re praying. Within these feelings you can often find the direction you need.

When Mary found out that she was to be the mother of Jesus, she offered a prayer of gratitude that allowed her to see the Lord’s hand in her life and the life of her people:

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Luke 1:46–48, 54

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. … He hath [helped] his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.”

As you pray

One thing about prayer is that it takes patience. Often, answers come slowly. In fact, if you’re not paying attention, you might miss them. With that in mind, a good way to help you focus on how God has answered your prayers is to offer prayers of gratitude. As you take time to search for and acknowledge good things in your life and the world around you, you’ll be blessed with clarity about God’s hand in your life. You will know that truly you are not alone. God hears you. God loves you. God answers you. That’s the true power of prayer.