Ingredients of Effective Prayer

Noah, Job, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Hannah, Samuel, Deborah, Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon, Josiah, Jehosophat, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zacheriah, Elizabeth,  Mary, apostles, early church, Paul, JESUS, and so many others through the centuries who were prayerful, passionate, persistent, pure, pleading God’s promises, surrendered.

These are people God mentioned as having particular influence with Him. Ezekiel 14:14, Jeremiah 15:1, Job 42:9, James 5:16.

What made their prayers so powerful? How can we too pray effectively for the needs in our lives? Here are 15 ingredients for effective prayer that we can put into practice today.

• You practice righteousness.  James 5:16 “the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”.
•  You are faith-full. Matthew 21:22   “all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”.
•  You do not doubt. Mark 11:24,25.
• You have patience. Psalm 40:1  “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me and heard my cry”.
• You ask according to HIS will. I John 5:14,15. He hears and responds when we ask according to HIS will.
• You do not ask with wrong motives. James 4:3  you ask selfishly.
• You follow God’s commands and teachings. John 15:7 “if you abide in Jesus, and His words abide in you, you can ask what you wish, and He will do it”.  
• You are humble. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ If My people, who are called by My name, will HUMBLE themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways…”.
• You pray from your heart, not just babbling. Matthew 6:7
• You do not practice wickedness. Proverbs 15:8 “the Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him”.
•  You are truthful. Psalm 145:18  “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth”.
• You are kind and generous, how much more is God.  Matthew 7:11  “If you give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father?!
• You are thankful, in advance by faith. Philippians 4:5,6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING….”.
• There is no hatred in your heart. I Timothy 2:8 “pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and dissension”.
• You confess your sins.  I John 1:9 Psalms 66:18

2/23 CCOE adapted from inspirations.com