https://youtu.be/O2Y7C9nxdcg
Requirements Of Effective Praying
How Long Has It Been Since You Prayed?
How long has it been since you talked with the Lord
And told him your heart’s hidden secrets
How long since you prayed how long since you stayed
On your knees till the light shone through
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease
How long since your heart knew no burden
Can you call him your friend how long has it been since you knew that he cared for you
How long has it been since you knelt by your bed and prayed to the Lord up in heaven
How long since you knew that he’d answer you
And would keep you the long night through
How long has it been since you woke with the dawn and felt that the day’s worth the living
Can you call him your friend how long has it been since you knew that he cared for you
Reasons for Prayer
1. First and foremost, believers are commanded by God to pray. The command to pray comes from the lips of psalmist, prophets, apostles and the Lord Jesus Himself. God desires our fellowship; by prayer we maintain and grow in our relationship with Him.
2. Prayer is the necessary link to receiving God’s blessings and power and to receiving the fulfillment of his promises.
3. In His plan of salvation for humankind God has ordained that believers be co-workers with him in the redemptive process. In other words, God’s power to accomplish many of His purposes is released only through His people’s earnest prayers on behalf of the progress of his kingdom. If we fail to pray, we may actually be hindering the timely accomplishment of God’s redemptive purpose both for ourselves as individuals and for the church as a body.
Requirements Of Effective Praying
1. Our prayers will not be answered unless we have a sincere, true faith. Jesus States explicitly:
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours
Mark 11:24
2. Authority in prayer is in Jesus’ name. Jesus himself expressed this principle when he said: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
3. Prayer is effective when it is in harmony or agreement with God’s will and Word. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us” (1John 5:14).
4. Not only must we pray in agreement with God’s will, but we must be willing in harmony with God’s will if we expect him to hear and answer us. God will give us the things we ask for only if we seek first His kingdom and his righteousness ( Matthew 6:33). Obeying God’s commands, loving him and pleasing him are indispensable conditions for receiving answers to prayer.
5. Finally for our prayers to be effective we must be persistent in prayer and faith.
Examples of Effective Praying
1. Moses had numerous intercessory prayers that God answered, even when He had told Moses that He would follow a different course of action.
2. A repentant Samson prayed for one more opportunity to fulfill his life’s task of defeating the Philistines; God answered this prayer by giving him strength to pull down the pillars of the building in which they were celebrating the power of their gods ( Judges 16:21-30).
3. The prophet Elijah had at least four powerful prayers answered, all of which brought glory to the God of Israel (1Kings 17-18).
4. King Hezekiah became sick and was told by Isaiah that he would die (2Kings 20:1; Isaiah 38:1). Feeling that his life and work were incomplete Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed intensely for God to give him more time; God sent Isaiah back to Hezekiah, assuring him of healing and fifteen more years of life (2Kings 20:2-6; Isaiah 38:2-6).
5. Daniel undoubtedly prayed to the Lord in the lion’s den, asking for deliverance from their mouths, and the Lord granted his request (Daniel 6:10, 16-22).
6. The early Christians prayed earnestly for Peter’s release from prison, and God sent an angel to free him (Acts 12:3-11).
Such examples should fill us with holy desire and faith to pray effectively according to the principles outlined in the Bible.
So how long has it been since you have prayed and talked to the Lord? God is just waiting for us to come to Him and talk to Him for whatever problems or situations we may be in. And the great thing about God is, He is so faithful to listen, and to answer us, if it is in accordance to his will and aligned with His Word.
I personally have seen so many miracles in my life that I cannot begin to write all of them one by one. God has been so good in answering of so many of my prayers since when I was just a child up until now.
I encourage you that if you are going through difficulties right now, whatever your situation is, that you give it a try and talk to God. He is just waiting for you. And I hope that this tips will help you get started if you have not already.
Thanks for watching the video and also for reading this. I really appreciate your time. And I hope you will continue to find it encouraging here and get to learn more about God and his promises and his love for you.
Be blessed, inspired, encourage and loved.
