Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you (who are willing to learn) with My eye upon you.  

First, we must have a willing heart to hear from God. A willing heart comes when we are humble to God and have learned that we cannot live without His guidance. We cannot see everything or know everything, but God does, and He is willing to show us if we listen to His counsel.  

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength (mighty and impenetrable), a very present well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains are shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its roaring.  

The only thing that doesn’t change in our life is the word of God. Everything else is guaranteed to change. Our decision becomes where we put our trust and attitude as we go through change. When we remain constant with the word of God in our lives, it doesn’t matter what the world does. Our faith is our anchor.  

Joshua 1:8

The book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read (and meditate on) it day and night, so that you may be careful to do (everything) in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.God is our creator and knows how we function as human beings. God tells His people to focus on the word day and night and follow the word’s instruction for our success. He knows our weaknesses and how to make us strong in faith and have courage.   This way, we are not tempted by sin or led away from God.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation (no matter what the circumstances) be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  

We need to keep ourselves built up and consistent as Christians. The practice of our faith should be continuous and not just now and then. We have more power against the enemy when we keep our prayers up and our minds renewed. Prayer and thanksgiving are our barriers against the knocks of the world through our faith in God.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world. (My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.)

We live in a fallen world where sin has gained a foothold. Jesus, in the midst of it all, is our peace in the suffering and love for the lost. Our courage, strength, and power to overcome the current world order are by the shed blood of Jesus, who brought us our salvation. We must have good courage and faith in the one who won it all. 

John 15:27

Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not let it be afraid. (Let my perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.)

Peace can be hard to find in a troubled world. So much sin and separation from God are being modeled everywhere on the planet. Jesus tells us not to fear and to let His peace come into our hearts. We will not be afraid when we close the door to fear and open our hearts to peace from Jesus and the word. Faith overcomes all fear.

Mark 11:24

For this reason I am telling you, whatever things your ask for I prayer (in accordance with God’s will), believe (with confident trust) that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

Prayer is the communication of our needs to God. God is our protector and provider for all our needs, and when we pray, we call on God to send those provisions to us. Our faith in God is assured by His word that our prayers will be answered. When we believe we can receive from God and have our prayers answered.  

Ephesians 6:18

With all prayer and petition pray (with specific requests) at all times (on every occasion and in every season) in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition (interceding in prayer) for all God’s people.

Sometimes we don’t know what to pray or how to pray for what we need for ourselves or others. That is why praying in the Spirit opens the door for God to move for us. God knows what we need, and praying in the Spirit clears a path for God to work on our behalf. 

Ephesians 1:18

And (I pray) that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (flooded with the light of the Holy Spirit), so that you will know and cherish the hope (the divine guarantee, the confident expectation) to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance of the saints.

We can pray to God for understanding, wisdom, and guidance. As we draw nearer to God with our study of the word, we can be enlightened through the scriptures. The Holy Spirit will speak to us and guide us through our spirits. When we pray to have our hearts enlightened, we can gain a stronger relationship with God, and He hears and answers our prayers. 

2 Chronicles 7:14

And My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear (them) from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. 

God set a path before us to follow and clearly outlined the way. Man has free will and, due to lack of knowledge or rebellion, may follow another route that leads to sin. Sin then enters and separates us from God, and God cannot gulf the breach unless the sin is confessed and we repent. When we seek the face of God in repentance, we can breach the gulf and get answered prayer.