GUIDES TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER
James 5:16 (NKJV) Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James states to us that effective prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The Amplified Classic says it this way: “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”
James 5:16 AMPC
We see that effective prayer has a tremendous impact on how the power of God is released into this earth realm.
Here are some of the guides you use to have an effective prayer life:
1. Always pray to the Father in Jesus Name.
John 16:23-24 (NKJV) 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Notice that Jesus said that we are not ask Him nothing “ask Me nothing...”, but to “ask the Father in My name (Jesus).
2. Once you pray or ask the Father then you “believe that you shall receive...”.
The word “shall” is a declarative word that means “must” as opposed to “may”. May gives the idea that it is an option; must says that something must be done.
Mark 11:24 (KJV) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
Jesus said that when you pray, then what follows, until the manifestation of what you have prayed takes place, is to believe that you shall or must receive.
3. Do not pray in doubt or unbelief
What does this mean? Once you have prayed, at that very moment, your prayer has been answered; meaning that God has heard your prayer and has already blessed you with what you need in order for you to have what you have asked in prayer.
If you ask God for the same thing because you have not physically obtained the answer to your prayer, then you are praying in unbelief. Why? You assume that because you have not received a manifestation of what you have prayed for instantly that maybe God did not hear you the first time or that you are praying outside of the will of God.
If you petition God your Father for what you have need of; He hears you.
Now, you must pray accord to the will of God, which is His Word, the Bible.
Do not be concerned, God hears any prayer that is in line with His will or Word. (1 John 5:14, 15)
4. Once you pray the prayer of faith, then you support that prayer by praying the prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:20 (KJV) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Praising and thanking God, until the manifestation takes place keeps your mind cultivated with the image of what you are believing Him for.
If you are believing for healing in your body or financial provision, then as you give thanks for what you have prayed for, the Holy Spirit will generate witting inventions and ideas in your mind that will direct your steps toward the manifestation of what you have prayed for.
Praise and thanksgiving keeps your mind at peace and assured; shutting the door on fear, doubt and unbelief.
5. Walk in love and forgiveness
Mark 11:25-26 (KJV) 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
These verses immediately follow verse 24 regarding what we ask or desire from God.
Forgiveness is key to receiving from God, why? This frees your mind from any distractions that will alter your mental imagery. If we are constantly beating our minds up by occupying it with thoughts of hatred and ill will toward someone or even ourselves, our faith becomes redirected from Gods goodness and provision.
We also develop a guilt in our own minds that says that we do not deserve the blessings of God. Guilt, shame and condemnation are enemies to your faith. They focus on your negatives and faults, and become distractions from walking in the love of God.
Matthew 19:19 (KJV)
Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
6. Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you
Romans 8:26-27 (KJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
The Holy Spirit will reveal to you how you can intercede on behalf of another, including yourself.
James 1 refers to the guide of praying for the wisdom of God concerning matters that we may not have the answer to.
This wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit to your spirit, and your spirit to your soul or mind. Once this takes place, you will now have a plan of action for what you have prayed about.
Wisdom is needed for faith to function in this earth realm. It is important to understand that the wisdom of God and faith work hand in hand. If we are communicating with the One who knows the very heart of God; then He will give you the guidance you need to activate your faith.
As you pray in the spirit, you will bring your mind to a place of stillness of the fears, doubts and unbelief that the enemy is intending to distract you with.
A crowded head or mind is hard to manage. Cleans your mind of the thoughts that are contrary to you and you will see the manifestation of your hearts desires.
I trust this will assure your heart during these trying times and free you to walk in the blessing of The Lord.
Gods riches and best are yours
Pastor Gilbert Burns
