5 Keys to Have Your Prayers Answered
Hey, men, it’s Neil Kennedy here. In my book Pray Like a Son, I unpack a journey that’s transformed how I connect with God—a journey I want you to take too. Prayer isn’t just words tossed into the wind; it’s a powerful conversation with our Father, modeled by Jesus Himself. From my nights in an Oklahoma coal mine to decades of seeking Him, I’ve distilled five keys to ensure your prayers don’t just echo—they get answered. Let’s dive in.
1. You Can Have Your Prayers Answered by Embracing Your Identity as a Son
I’ll never forget that night under the stars, pumping water out of a strip coal mine, when I cried out, “God, do you know me? Do you care?” His voice hit me like a thunderbolt: “Yes, I know you. I have given you the spirit of a son so that you may call me, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). That moment flipped everything I thought about prayer. Jesus showed us this when He called God “Father”—a move so bold the Pharisees called it blasphemy (John 5:17). Men, you’re not a slave begging for scraps; you’re a son with a seat at the table. When you grasp that the Holy Spirit testifies you’re God’s child (Romans 8:16), you’ll pray with guts, knowing He’s listening. That’s where answered prayers start—with who you are in Him.
2. You Can Have Your Prayers Answered by Following Jesus’ Pattern of Prayer
Picture this: Jesus praying so powerfully that His disciples begged, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). His prayers weren’t religious fluff—they were raw, real, and hit the mark. I learned this early on from Dr. Larry Lea’s seminar, adapting the Lord’s Prayer into an outline I’ve used for 40 years. Start by thanking God as Father, praise His names like Jehovah-Jireh (provision), pray for your family and nation, seek forgiveness, and armor up (Ephesians 6:10-18). I used to count prayer in minutes—now it’s hours that change me. Men, prayer is a skill you can master. Follow Jesus’ lead, and watch your prayers pack a punch.
3. You Can Have Your Prayers Answered by Knowing the Character of Your Father
Jesus said, “Ask anything in my name, and I’ll do it” (John 14:13-14). Admit it—your mind stumbles over “anything.” Mine did too. But here’s the deal: you won’t ask big if you don’t know who you’re asking. My daughter Courtney once hit me with, “Dad, I want a new phone—I know you delight in giving it.” She got it because she knew me. God’s the same—infinite, faithful, good (Psalm 34:8), and loving (1 John 4:7-8). I list 15 of His traits in the book to chew on. He’s not stingy; He knows your needs before you speak (Matthew 6:7). Get to know His heart, and you’ll pray with the confidence that moves mountains.
4. You Can Have Your Prayers Answered by Praying in the Holy Spirit
Some days, the world’s mess—violence, stupidity, evil—leaves me speechless. I groan inside, frustrated beyond words. That’s when Romans 8:26 kicks in: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… intercedes through wordless groans.” When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours,” He leaned on the Spirit. I’ve prayed with thousands of men to be filled with the Holy Spirit—it’s a game-changer. When you don’t know what to say, let Him pray through you. It’s the perfect will of God every time, lining up everything for your good (Romans 8:28). Men, don’t navigate this chaos without Him.
5. You Can Have Your Prayers Answered by Transforming Your Daily Commute into Communion
I drove my Yukon 457,000 miles—over a year of my life in that seat. It wasn’t just mileage; it was prayer time. I traded it in Texas, telling the salesman, “I’ve prayed more in that truck than anywhere.” Your commute’s a goldmine too. I lay out seven steps in the book: walk with God daily like Enoch (Genesis 5:23), trust His direction like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8), and turn work into worship like Moses. Driving home, skip the radio—ask God to prep you for your family. Facing a Goliath? He’s with you in the valley. Peter walked on water because Jesus said, “Come” (Matthew 14:29). Step out, men—your world grows with the trails you travel with Him.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Guys, Pray Like a Son isn’t theory—it’s my life poured onto pages to ignite yours. Embrace your sonship, pray Jesus’ way, know your Father, lean on the Spirit and make every commute communion. Want to see it work? Drop me a line at Neil@FivestarMan.com or leave a comment below after your first prayer as a son—I’d love to hear about it. Let’s pray like sons and watch our Father move.
Action Step
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