Fruitfulness Brings Answered Prayers - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) January 27, 2026

Jesus said we could ask for anything in His name and receive it. Specifically, He said, You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:14). I don't know about you, but I was ecstatic when I saw those words the first time.

However, many can admit we’ve taken that step, only to watch our request go unanswered. Why is that? The Bible tells us that God is not a liar and cannot lie (Numbers 23:19 & Titus 1:2). That being the case, then Jesus, who only said what the Father told Him also wasn't a liar and could not lie (John 12:49). How, then, could it be that what He said - ask in my name and you will not be disappointed - the things we ask for don't come to pass (John 14:13)?

Sometimes, we ignore the conditions attached to God's promises. It's human nature to ignore the 'fine print' even when it is written in bold letters and colors. And in this case, many of us, myself included, forget that Jesus said that we will have what we want when we ask in His name if we are fruitful. John 15:16 - You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

This is not to say that God cannot answer the prayers of an 'unfruitful' person. He is Sovereign and does as He pleases. I am a personal example of this, actually. I spent a long time being unfruitful to the Lord. Yet, He answered many of my prayers. I now understand that He did this because of the love He has for all He created. He also knew that one day, I'd get my act together and serve Him. So, He laid a foundation of being the prayer-answering God.

He has done this for countless believers and unbelievers - showing grace and love to them even when they weren't living right. Even when they had no idea what it meant to be fruitful for Him. This is why Jesus taught that the Father "causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45). He does this to reveal Himself and show He wants them to draw near and know Him.

If you believe in Christ and in His Father, consider how you can be more fruitful to God this year. Ask for wisdom on this issue. You might already enjoy answered prayers, but remember that with God, there is always more you can experience. Prayers are waiting to be fulfilled, and today, the Lord wants you to take fruitfulness more seriously. He wants you to commit to taking care of the concerns that are a burden on His heart for people.

Christians pray to be blessed so they can bless someone. When you focus on being fruitful for Him, He has to bless you so others are enriched. And I'm not even talking about money. I'm talking about the gift of hearing the Lord and moving the way Philip did with the Ethiopian Eunuch. The gift of opening your mouth and saying what someone needed to hear from the Lord that day, as Jesus did with the woman at the well. I'm talking about praying in a way whereby God is triggered to reward with big things. Cornelius did this, and his entire household received the Holy Spirit.

All of these are signs of fruitfulness. Signs that God is moving in you and around you for His glory. And when you operate this way, will Jesus not answer your prayers? Can He ignore your hunger for the things of God? Will He not move quickly as your High Priest in the courts of heaven to answer the prayers you didn't even say? Isaiah 65:24 - I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! (NLT).

Unfruitfulness can hinder prayers, but God is more than able to change that today. Repent for being unfruitful and ask for grace to be more productive for Him. Commit to being more obedient and move when He calls you to, so you can be like Phillip the Evangelist, who ran to obey the Holy Spirit, winning a soul for the Kingdom of Heaven (Acts 8). May the Lord help us all to be increasingly fruitful and productive branches attached to the vine that is Jesus Christ. And may this result in the increase of our fulfilled petitions, IJN, Amen.

Finally, if you are fruitful but notice your prayers for yourself going unfulfilled, while your prayers for others are answered, take heart. You may be in a pruning season, which is a good thing. No matter what things look like, remember that no prayer goes unheard with the Lord. He may just be working things out so you can step into His promises unburdened by what could cause a squandering of your inheritance if not removed. Please, be patient with God and don't turn away from Him. The Lord is your strength, and His word over your life will surely come to pass, IJMN, Amen.

As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:​

1. Don't Delay To Obey​

2. The Pruning​

3. His glory rises upon me!​

4. The Answered Prayers You Don't See​

5. The Preparation​

6. Why does God bless us?​

7. How Salty Are You?​

8. The Promises You Won't See​

9. Spirit-Filled But Worldly?​

10. What Would God See When He Looks At Your Heart?​

11. Be About The Father's Business​

12. Are You Trustworthy?​

13. Topic: Righteousness​

14. Topic: The Wicked/Evil​

15. Topic: Fruitfulness, Fruit​

16. Topic: Please the Lord