The theme of the Bible is the sovereignty of Almighty God. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36; emphasis added).
This is also true in prayer.
Why Do We Pray?
Jesus taught us, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10). Prayer is God’s way of getting Heaven’s will done on Earth.
God has given us the privilege of working with Him. As Paul said to the Corinthians, we are laborers together with Him. (See 1 Corinthians 3:9.)
God could run this Universe without you. But what a joy it is to have that fellowship! God does not want you to live your life independent of Him.
How to Pray Effectively
Prayer begins in the heart and mind of God. Therefore, prayer is finding the will of God and getting in on it. Sometimes we want things we do not need. And sometimes we need things we don’t want. We thank God for answered prayer, but we ought to thank God for unanswered prayer, too.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
How Do You Know the Will of God?
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
Find out what God is up to and join Him. Pray, “Lord, give me insight into what is going on in Heaven.”
That is what Jesus did—He laid aside His prerogatives as Deity and walked this Earth, praying and depending on God. “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner’” (John 5:19).
We don’t know what is going on in Heaven because we spend very little time there in worship.
What Is Worship?
Worship is presenting yourself to God as a living sacrifice and letting Him consume you. When you place yourself upon the altar, you will be transformed. (See Romans 12:1-2)
Faith is the dynamic of powerful prayer. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). You cannot make yourself believe. Even faith is the gift of God! “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
The Purpose of Prayer is the Glory of God
Prayer originates with God, operates through God, and goes back to God to give Him glory. (See Isaiah 48:11.) The reason why many prayers are not answered is because we are not interested in the glory of God.
Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). The secret of effectual prayer is asking in the name of Jesus, that the Father may be glorified. Don't come to prayer with your emotions. Come with both hands filled with the incense of Jesus’ name.
It’s not about your sweat; it’s about Jesus’ blood. It’s not your performance; it’s His promise. Jesus is the source, the strength, and the subject of an effective prayer life.To read more on this topic, click here.
