More on Prayer
The impression must not be given that prayer is effective only if certain
things are done or, conversely, that if prayer is not effective one need
only search for a breach of conditions.
Effective Prayer
The following are the characteristics, according to Scripture, of the “righteous”
person whose prayer has “great power in its effects” (James 5:16).
Moral Purity
Psalm 66:18
Isaiah 59:2
Sincerity
James 4:3
Coming in The Name of Jesus
John 16:23f
Faith
This is probably the most frequently mentioned condition of prayer. Faith
is the petitioners measure of confidence in God’s ability and desire to
answer prayer.
God also honors faith on behalf of others.
Matthew 9:2-8
Continuing Intimate Fellowship With Christ
John 15:7, 16
Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6
in The Spirit
Ephesians 6:18
Obedience
1 John 3:22
Praying in God’s Will
In general, God’s will can be known by studying the Scriptures, for they
show what God has done and, therefore, what he is likely to desire in certain
circumstances.
The phrase that Jesus used in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but thine, be done,
should not be wrongly employed to excuse your lack of perception or of
faith when you pray.
About Unanswered Prayer
Prayer is neither mechanical nor magical. It is an appeal to an infinitely
wise, loving, and powerful heavenly Father.
True prayer (that in accordance with biblical teaching), is always heard
by God. When no answer is apparent, it is probably most appropriate to
speak, not of unanswered prayer, but rather:
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of an answer that is superior to the specific petition.
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an answer that is delayed by God for good reasons.
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or an answer that takes a negative form because a positive answer would
be inappropriate, second-best, or even harmful.
