And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you ~ Luke 11:9.

Introduction

History, people say, belongs to intercessors. But, I have long discovered that even the future is divinely guaranteed only for those who can pray. God’s glory becomes your story when you learn to call upon Him very effectively.

The Christian calling is a spiritual vocation from start to finish. And, any Christian that refuses to be spiritual has chosen to play the game of life carelessly. Prayer is an essential requirement of our spiritual vocation as well as a major subject in our spiritual formation.

Lessons on prayer occupied a prominent place among the manifold subjects on which Jesus gave instruction to His disciples: Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. The Master Himself was a man of prayer, sometimes spending whole nights in prayerful communion with His Heavenly Father and inspiring hope even in the darkest hour.

Prayer creates rooms for God’s full force here on earth, and has always made the difference in how He acts in our world. The apostles prayed in a house and the building shook (Acts 4:31). They prayed again and God answered with an earthquake to open prison doors (Acts 16:25-26).

God hinges on prayers the very life and prosperity of His cause. He shapes destinies of men on earth by the power of prayer. Prayer brings God’s presence, and the soul cannot prosper in the neglect of it. Please, whatever you do, be sure you keep to this secret duty of prayer.

Understanding the Art of Prayer

Prayer is one of the oldest activities of the soul. Prayer is a statement of our need to God. It is a sure barrier buster, and nothing can replace prayer in this needy world. Yes, anyone wishing to experience real power today must first learn  to master the spiritual arts of prayer.

After the fall of Adam, no joy was recorded upon the earth, so to speak, until men began to call upon the Lord. In Genesis 4:26, we are informed that Enos (meaning, frailty) embodied human defenselessness, which urged men to pray. Only those who rightly appraise themselves as being helpless without God would see the need to fellowship with Him and even call upon His Name.

Prayer is a heavenly invited sound, which goes straight into God’s ear, and He doesn’t ever ignore it: “And call upon me in the day of trouble ....” (Psalm 50:15). The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be.

Merits of Effective Prayers

Today, the world really needs men whom the Holy Ghost can use - men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost doesn’t come on deadwoods, but on men of prayer. Thus, the prayerful Christian is the golden pipe through which the divine oil flows. And, Christian impacts on the earth are made in the prayer closets of strong personalities, and the strongest ones being the best knockers (Matthew 7:7).

Now, all men pray one way or the other, but not all men receive positive answers to their prayers. Hence, there must be certain factors that determine the merits of mens’ prayers before God. And, Godliness must be the first merit that will attract answers.

God is the Supplier of every good thing, and He is also the Highest Judge in the universe (Jam.1:17; Ps.50:2-6). Therefore, doing things that please Him is a very wise course to take all the time (John 8:29).

Furthermore, God delights in confirming only His Will upon the earth (Matt.6:10). Nothing works like God’s Will and, absolutely, nothing prospers like His purpose. Therefore, those who line up with God’s Word will surely generate powerful effects in their prayers on earth.

Again, we must be very specific in our desire when we pray (Isaiah 41:21). Talking specifically to a difficult situation is what brings effectual answers, not just talking about it. And, the most meaningful prayer comes from a specific heart that places its trust in God. Certainly, faith is crucial to effective prayers.

Faith is implicit confidence in the integrity of God, a total reliance upon His Word, even against hope (Rom.4:18). Whereas, prayers come to God’s ears, but only faith moves Him into action. It takes faith to release the virtues of heaven (Mark 5:25-30). Thus, faith is a catalyst that enhances divine performance (Luke 1:45).

Faith raises natural men to supernatural status (Mark 9:23). It comes by hearing, but works by speaking. Faith works like God its author; it makes whole (Mt. 9:22). Your faith is your insurance against shame and failure (Heb. 10:22). You will need it in due course, please keep it close to your heart.

However, your “faith” is not faith unless it’s the only thing you are holding on to. Hence, to generate powers in prayers, we must do the “asking” in the Name of Jesus Christ (John 16:24).

Conclusion

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we find the prayers of Jabez, who was named after the circumstances of sorrow in which he was born. ‘Jabez’ means ‘sorrow’, and sorrow followed him everywhere like a lengthened shadow. But one day he decided to do something about his destiny through prayers. He cried unto God, and his later end became very honorable. He even built a city called “Jabez” (I Chronicles 2:55).

Friend, your present condition is not your conclusion. If you can pray, you will prevail. If there is any circumstance that contradicts your vision, or is adversarial to your destiny, rename it through prayers. And no matter what, recovery is still possible! (Proverbs 15:23). Only those who refuse to pray have chosen to faint (Lk.18:1). You will not faint in Jesus Name. Happy Sunday.

• Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bishopakinola

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bishopakinola

YouTube: www.youtube.com/rhemaworldonline

Website: www.rhemaworldonline.org