PRAYER IS THE KEY 2
James 5:13-20
We are still considering the Prayer Key. The first thing you must note is that God abhors sin. A purified life makes God listen to you. “Now we know that God heareth not sinners but if every man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth”. John 9:31. Put away sin from you. You can’t live in sin and expect God to hear your prayers. Sin is an obstacle that you must deal with. Secondly. Approach God with adoration and worship. Don’t just rush in with a flurry of requests. No. Start with worship and praise. Move on to gratitude and thanksgiving. Count your blessings and be grateful for them. Then move on to your requests – be it intercession for someone else, supplication for yourself or even warfare, this pattern will help.
Finally, study prayers in the bible. You will discover there is no particular stereotype. Rather, it is about the relationship of the individual with the Almighty God, Take Cain for instance. He negotiated his way out of the penalty for his sin. (Genesis 4:13-15). Abraham pleaded for Lot and Sodom; David interceded to stop the killing of Israelites because of his own mistake. Hezekiah prayed to annul his death sentence. Jesus prayed for direction when he wanted to choose the twelve disciples and before Calvary. All these prayed in their own unique ways and got outstanding results. Your relationship with God is important. It determines what you get in the place of prayers.
There is also the dimension of fasting. Jesus said some prayers can’t be effective until you add the dimension of fasting. Then constant and regular prayers are also essential to getting your prayers answered. Let prayers become your habit. Not just because you have requests but because you want to be in God’s presence. He is your Father. Fellowshipping with him in prayers is more important and potent than the issue of your requests. He cherishes this more than any request you may bring. And it is also better for you.
Finally, the Holy Spirit is an important factor. He is to teach us how to pray and also make intercession for us. A close walk with the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of a beautiful prayer life. He will prompt you to give you prayer points and even pray for you. Again, prayer in the spirit is a gift from the Holy Ghost. All these put together energizes your prayer life for effectiveness.
MEDITATION: James 5:17-18.
