Does Prosperity Answer To Prayers?

“Prosperity does not answer to prayers (and fasting)’’

The above statement has made way into the Christian world as a generally accepted quote.

While I must be sure I don’t sound insolent or sarcastic towards any person who propagates the quote, it is needed that as Bible students we learn to ‘…prove all things…’ (1Thess 5:21)

Some quotes are made out of sincerity, but sincerity is not enough in establishing doctrines.

You can be SINCERELY wrong! Even Abimelech claimed that his urge to take Sarah as a concubine was out of ‘sincerity’!

‘…in the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands have I done this…’ (Gen 20:5)

In doctrinal standards, Sincerity without Truth does not make it right. In many cases, the aim of this popular quote is to make believers believe that God does not respond to believers’ plea for prosperity except they are first proven to be ‘givers’ or ‘seed sowers’ or ‘covenant practitioners’. But does the Bible really teach that ‘prosperity does not answer to prayers’? Let’s find out:

Jabez prospered primarily via prayers.

‘…And Jabez CALLED ON THE GOD OF ISRAEL, saying, Oh that thou wouldest BLESS ME INDEED, and ENLARGE MY COAST, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED…’ (1Chro 4:10)

I so much love that concluding line: ‘and God granted his requests’! He prayed for prosperity… God answered accordingly. Uzziah had a record in the Bible:

‘…and as long as HE SOUGHT the LORD, God made HIM TO PROSPER….’ (2Chr 26:5)

Seeking God in prayers for wisdom and direction prospered Uzziah. He was so prosperous that the Bible says: ‘…And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped…’ (2Chro 26:15)

It is highly scriptural to PRAY for God’s prosperity on your life!

‘…O LORD, save us, we PRAY. We beseech You, O LORD, CAUSE US TO PROSPER!’ (Psalm 118:25)

You can tell God to make the works of your hands yield great supernatural increase!

‘…And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and ESTABLISH THOU THE WORK OF OUR HANDS upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it…’ (Psalm 90:17)

Oh, God Himself promised to answer the godly heart cry for prosperity:

‘…He shall CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and HONOUR him…’ (Psalm 91:15)

While I must stress that this revelation does not make room for laziness, selfishness, materialism and carelessness, we can clearly see that prosperity by all scriptural injunctions ANSWERS TO PRAYERS. Never should a believer come to a point where he/she cannot approach God for his/her needs. Whether the believer has ‘given’ enough or not, every believer is qualified to pray for prosperity! In explaining the character of God in prayer-answering, James made an outstanding statement about God as: ‘…the One giving GENEROUSLY to all and NOT FINDING FAULT…’ (James 1:5 BLB)

In prayers, God is NOT a fault finder! Rather, in prayers, God is a faithful Father! Even in the model prayer Jesus gave to his disciples during His earthly ministry, He included this line:

‘…give us this day our daily bread…’ (Matt 6:11)

This was a prayer! It is scripturally ok to prayerfully trust God for daily provisions! And though it was a complimentary greeting, John would still PRAY that God prospers Gaius!

‘…Beloved, I PRAY YOU TO PROSPER concerning all things and to be in good health, just as your soul prospers…’ (3John 1:2 BLB)

It was a greeting…and it was a prayer. Therefore do not just sink it in that ‘prosperity does not answer to prayers’. The intention for such quote might be excusable but the quote itself has no (adequate) scriptural support. Your God answers the prayers of prosperity. This is a simple verse that clears the air most on this matter:

‘…ye have not, because ye ASK not…’ (James 4:2)

If indeed ‘’prosperity does not answer to prayers’’, then that verse has no business being found in the Bible! It is definitely improper for a believer not to be a giver in the things of God and God forbid I teach that your giving does not bring godly rewards to you (both now and in eternity); but that does not mean that ‘’prosperity does not answer to prayers’’. It is good to be a GIVER but you must not be a qualified giver in order to get God to prosper you! (Matt 5:45) It is God’s will for you to be a cheerful giver, but God loves to prosper you FREELY without your works and then have you show love to others with the prosperity he gave to you.

‘…He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also FREELY give us all things?…’ (Romans 8:32)

God gives FREELY. God answers prosperity prayers. Call on Him in faith today.

Amen.