Effective Prayer

When & Why do people pray?

Simply answered… we usually pray when we’re out of gas! It’s the moment that we realize we are powerless over the number of our days given to us on this earth. It comes at the end of the road, when frustration, despair and anger take over. It’s at a time of helplessness. It often is at the bedside of the death of a loved one – when we realize there’s nothing else to do but pray. It may also come with a diagnosis of what may appear to be hopeless. Mostly, it’s a time when we fully understand that we are not God and need Him.

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but even atheists will plead with God in moments of trial… need… frustration… and desparation.

Most aren’t even aware of shouting out God’s Name in a time of need. When push comes to shove, God is always called to the scene – even by those who don’t believe. But, why? It’s because we are created with a vacuum that wants to breathe in God. We either identify this or we don’t. When we realize Jesus is the breath we need to inhale, life just takes effect. It’s a war out there for your soul, so pray that you make the right decision about the God you serve.

How do we pray effectively?

Effective prayer is praying with the assurance that God hears and answers. On effective prayer, Jesus said, Be it done according to your faith. The answer comes when you pray according to His will – not yours. Don’t be fooled by the enemy, Satan.

We must remember that God is not an on demand personal genie; Scripture tells us the following: But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) We are also commanded to walk this walk on His terms, not our own. We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) While we are no longer under the Law, we must still abide in it. This fact is often not taught properly. What the Holy Spirit is saying here is that your Salvation doesn’t depend on the Law or the sacrifices of animals. You are under His Grace; however, since He doesn’t change, He still wants us to obey His Commandments. Don’t let anyone deceive you. God is not mocked and God doesn’t change… not ever! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, here’s the Glory of obeying Him and receiving Jesus: Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; if you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. (Deuteronomy 30:9-10)

Make it a practice to live the Jesus lifestyle. Don’t be caught up in people or the Sunday Jesus fan club. If you want your prayers answered, simply walk in His ways… just as He describes in the Bible. He is still a God of extraordinay miracles… just as He was when He walked this earth. Embrace Him with all that is in you. Eternity is forever and you want to make it. Don’t get caught being a goat (Matthew 25). Always keep your Oil in your Lamp (Matthew 25). It just might be the right time to read Matthew 25… right now. It’s also the right time to recommit your life to Jesus or receive Him for the very first time. You don’t control the number of your days, no matter how much you think you can! Yielding to God is the only way to safely arrive home. May the Lord bless and keep you.