Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing
(James 1:4)

My child, what do you want of Me?

With this simple question, God revealed to me a powerful principle of prayer: To be effective, your prayers must be specific. In order to answer your prayers, God has to know exactly what you want.

Here are some guidelines which will help you pray correctly, specifically and effectively:

First, go to the Father in the Name of Jesus and make your requests known. Then, believe that you receive when you pray, and if you have anything against any person, forgive him (Mark 11:24-25).

Second, stand on the promises in God's Word that cover your need. Be specific. Make a prayer list and stick to it. Pray for what you specifically need and what you are specifically believing for, one item at a time.

Third, be patient! "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" (Ps. 37:7). As long as your prayer lines up with God's Word, He will answer at the right time-His time. So relax, and "let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4).

Finally, but most important of all, develop a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father. Get to know Him intimately, and you will have unshakable confidence in Him and in His Word.

Specific prayers receive specific answers. Always remember, "If we ask any thing according to [God's] will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

Source: One Word From God Can Change Your Prayer Life
by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers