Prayers spoken in faith parted the Red Sea, raised the dead, and fed the multitudes. Regardless of the need that you are facing, you can know how to pray prayers that are effective!
The Bible tells us in James 5:16 that, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." And so that you would know that nothing would be impossible, the next verse reminds us that, "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:17-18 KJV).
We're Talking About Real Prayer Here
Every born again believer has the potential to tear down strongholds of the enemy and build up the Kingdom of God with his prayers. When the righteous men and women of a nation begin to walk together in unity and pray effectual fervent prayers, it always makes a difference.
Now I am not talking about a haphazard prayer life that occasionally reminds God about your problems. I am talking about constant communication with God so that the Holy Spirit is able to reveal the plans of the enemy and show you how to neutralize his forces and send him running for cover.
I have realized that when it comes to prayer, it is not that God won't, it is that we don't.
We miss opportunities for prayer to make a difference. After we have tried all we know to do in the natural, we give prayer a try. Then we offer some memorized words from a fear-filled heart, which will never avail much.
Billy Sunday said,
"Some Christians seem to look upon God as a kind of spare tire. A spare tire is forgotten for months at a time until suddenly we have a flat on the road. Then we want the spare tire to be in good condition, ready for use. Just so, many forget God during all the times when things go well, then in an emergency they want God to be on hand, immediately ready to hear and answer their cry of distress."When we are devoted to prayer and keep our time with God at the center of our life, we will walk in boldness instead of tip-toeing around the devil.
First John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know that we have the requests made of Him."
Keep On Doing It
After teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus commanded the disciples, "So I say to you, 'Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you'" (Luke 11:9).
Don't just talk about it, DO IT—and keep on doing it!
With so many needs that I hear about each day and the fast changing needs of our ministry, I could easily become overwhelmed by each and every detail that is crying out for attention.
However, during my time of prayer and throughout the day, I have learned to keep alert to the Holy Spirit and obey His promptings to pray. Effectual prayers are those that are prayed in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When you take the time to yield yourself to the Holy Spirit, you will find that He is never short of words to pray.
Spurgeon said "Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused." Even if you don't know what to say, when it comes to prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without heart. So go ahead and pour out your whole heart to God.
Remember His promise: "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Knowing that your prayer is answered changes your attitude. You can wash your face and put on the joy of the Lord because you know by the Spirit that all is well.
In John 15:7, Jesus promised, "If you live in Me, abide vitally united to me, and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you." When you are vitally united with Jesus and His Words are in your heart, prayer becomes a delight and a privilege.
As you yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to pray, strongholds are torn down, prison doors are opened, and lives are forever changed. What an awesome way to live!
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Reverend Cathy Duplantis is an anointed teacher of the Gospel dedicated to living by faith and inspiring others to do the same. Cathy is the wife of Evangelist Jesse Duplantis. She has worked continually with her husband in ministry since it began in 1978, serving as Administrator, Editor in Chief of Voice of the Covenant magazine, and television co-host.
