EFFECTIVE PRAYER PART 1

Texts: Ephesians 6: 10-18

Why Pray? “It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.” (John Wesley). God is NOT ruling this world. His will is not being carried out on the earth, except in the lives of those who surrender to Him - 2 Pet. 3:9; 2 Cor. 4:4. From the beginning of creation, Adam (Man) had dominion upon the earth – Gen. 1:26-27; Psa. 8:6.

Why Pray? Adam was originally, in a sense, god of this world. But Satan came and lied to Adam. Adam committed high treason and sold out to Satan. Thus, Satan became the god of this world. God cannot legally and justly move in and take away that dominion from the devil. The devil has legal right because he has Adam’s lease. God cannot do anything unless somebody down here asks Him.

What is Prayer? Prayer is not an emotional release or escape valve. Not a religious exercise; God responds to faith – Matt. 6:7. It is NOT trying to get God’s attention or trying to get Him to do something – Heb. 4:12-16. Prayer is an attitude. It is communicating and fellowshipping with God to receive what He has already given you through Christ Jesus.

What is Prayer? Prayer is the channel through which we connect with the grace of God to find helps – Heb. 4:16. It is doing warfare with the invisible to achieve the impossible – Eph. 6:12. The platform for exchanging your burdens for God’s blessings – 1 Pet. 5:7. It is also the platform for supernatural empowerment; through prayer, we tap into fresh oil. When you are prayer- less, then you are power-less! Jeremiah 3:19

Therefore, prayer is the means of connecting to divine goodness Therefore, prayer is the means of connecting to divine goodness. Every “thus says the Lord” is a possibility which must be taken to God at the altar of prayer. It is the processing plant of vision! Fulfillment of destiny is for the prayer-full – Jer. 29:11-12. When you slack in prayer, you lack substance on the earth. Unlimited access to the material world is for the prayer-full – Jer. 33:3. James 5:16-18.

Faith makes prayer effective and fellowship is the mother of faith. Facts about Prayer Failure in every Christian venture is a prayer failure. Effective praying is the key to success in every area of life. The No. 1 priority in God’s heart is to spend quality time with His children daily. The more time one spend in God’s presence, the more one will act and think like Him. To get results in prayer, you must be convinced that God wants to answer your prayers (John 17:23). Faith makes prayer effective and fellowship is the mother of faith.

Six Steps to Answered Prayer Be specific and stand on God’s promises. Pray according to the Word of God. Faith begins where the will of God is known (Rom. 10:17; Joshua 1:8). Use the sword of the Spirit against the devil. Follow Jesus’ example (Matt. 4:4; Eph. 6:17). Fight the good fight of faith. Speak the Word out of your mouth that you believe in your heart (1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 4:14). You must ask God for what you want and believe that you receive them. Ask in the Name of Jesus (John 16:23-24). Ask in faith expecting to receive (Matt. 7:7-8; Mark 11:23-24). Believe God and His Word above natural situation (John 14:1; 2 Cor. 5:7).

Six Steps to Answered Prayer Be positive in your thinking. Let every thought and desire affirm that you have what you asked for. Resist doubt. You must eradicate (uproot and remove) every image, suggestion, vision, dream, impression, feeling, and all thoughts that do not contribute to your faith and do not affirm that you have what you asked God for (James 1:6-8). Reject anything that contradicts the Word of God. Remember that Satan can move in the supernatural realm too. If it doesn’t line up with the Word, reject it (Heb. 1:1- 2; 2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Guard your mind against evil thoughts. Thoughts are governed and affected by observations, associations, and teachings. You cannot develop your faith without guarding your mind (Phil. 4:8; Prov. 23:7). Meditate constantly on the promises upon which you based the answer to your prayer. See yourself with your answer and make plans accordingly as if it were already a reality (Josh. 1:8; John 15:7). Continually thank God for the answer. In your every waking moment, think on the greatness of God and His goodness, and count your blessings. Gratitude brings perfection (Luke 17:11-19).

Conclusion Prayer is the foundation of every Christian endeavor. You have a right to pray and expect results. God has put procedures and safeguards into the prayer system to protect me. God’s Word gives instruction in prayer. The limits of your faith are based on what you know God wants you to have. Prayer is not trying to get God’s attention, or trying to make Him do something. Engaging the six steps makes my prayer effective.

Confession of Faith My prayers are effective because I pray the promises I find in God’s Word. I am thankful to be a child of God, and I know His promises are to and for me. In the Christ Jesus I have a right to believe. All things I believe, I have a right to receive. When I pray I am communicating with God. I believe His Word and I receive the answers to my prayers as I pray. Regardless of any weaknesses on my part, the grace of God gives me righteousness. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.