1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Revelation 8:3-4 "An...angel came and stood at the altar...there was much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of the saints...And the...prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."  I can't help but wonder if all our prayers are collected through all time and offered up to God as a sweet aroma.

We are told to pray.  But we are sometimes shocked when God answers our prayers.  We pray as if it was an insurance policy--just in case our own efforts don't pan out.

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you..."  This is Jesus speaking.

John 16:24 "Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full."  Again, Jesus speaks.

That your joy may be full!!!   That is the reason God answers our prayers.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  We have been praying for him that he would not lose his mind.  Today he went to a specialty Alzheimer's clinic in New York and they told him he didn't have it.  That he had been misdiagnosed.  He told me, "I may not have it now, but a few weeks ago...?  The prayers of my family and friends made the difference."

Talk about joy.  He was ecstatic.