Effective Prayer

{James 5:16} NHEB
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerfully effective.

{1 John 5:14} Amplified Bible
This is the remarkable degree of confidence which we as believers are entitled to have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, that is, consistent with His plan and purpose He hears us.

“I really don’t know how to pray; let someone else pray; prayer is not really my thing!” If you’ve ever said those words, you’re not alone. Many of us desire, more than anything, to overcome our lack of confidence spiritually, and have a prayer life that changes our lives.

Have you experienced effective prayer? The kind that changes lives? Have you encountered a dire situation (a failing marriage, poor health, fractured relationships, lack of provision, unfulfilling employment, unemployment or emotional hurt) and come through it with an even stronger faith, knowing without any doubt that your God is far greater and stronger than any adversity? 

If that’s what you would like, then it’s time to begin practicing life-changing prayer. It’s time to direct our attention—our spirit and our mind—to the One who works everything according to the counsel of His will {Ephesians 1:11}. It’s only through Him that we can experience the life change we so desperately desire.

Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace
Of course, even if we know just how important prayer is, we still need to know how to pray effectively. Hebrews 4:16 gives you a clue: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” When we come expectantly, it means we acknowledge Him, as all of this leads to a confidence that has the power to transform us.

Consider the word boldly. When we come boldly into a place, it means we know we belong. When we come in faith, it means we know we have God’s Word to strengthen and guide us. When we come humbly, it means we know we have His Spirit and recognize who He is. 

Praying Effectively

Prayer is an important part of the believer’s life, yet many of us question whether our prayers are as effective as they could be. I think this lesson will help us all.

A) Pray an Effective Prayer by Knowing What God Said

How can we pray in a way that pleases God if we don’t know His nature? We won’t know what He has promised; we won’t know how He handles situations; we won’t know what pleases or displeases Him. To pray more effectively, we must take time to get to know the One to whom we’re praying - through His Word. Let’s make reading God’s Word an important part of our day - every day.

B) Pray an Effective Prayer by Asking God for Wisdom
Before we ask God to solve a problem in our lives, let's ask Him for wisdom, and for His perspective on it. Proverbs 4:7, calls wisdom “the principal thing,” and James 1:5, says God will give you His wisdom liberally. No matter what prayer we want to be answered, let’s ask God for wisdom to lead us.

C) Pray an Effective Prayer by Remaining in Faith

Once we know what the Word says about our situation and we have God’s perspective on it, then let’s settle within ourselves what God has said. Trust Him to keep His Word. Thank Him for leading us, guiding us, and answering us. Don’t let anything dissuade you from what the Lord has shown you and stay faithful to the truth you have received.

D) Pray an Effective Prayer by Forgiving

If we want the Lord to respond to our prayers, forgiveness is vital. In Mark 11, Jesus taught His disciples about the prayer of faith. At the end, He gave them the final step when He said, “…believe that ye receive…and ye shall have,” but in the very same breath, He said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive…” (verses 24-25). Effective prayers require faith, faith requires love, and love requires forgiveness. Don’t wait another second to forgive someone who has hurt you. Commit to living the life of love and faith and enjoy the benefit of effective - effectual times of prayer.

We can rest knowing that our heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers when we put the aforementioned principles into practice. Find out what the Bible has to say, ask for wisdom, remain in faith, and live a life of forgiveness. We will experience the joy of walking with a greater awareness of God’s indwelling presence, knowing that He hears us, and will cause our prayers to be effective.