2013 ~ God’s Best Ministries

“The Prayer of a Righteous Person

is Powerful & Effective.”

    - James 5:16b [NIV]

1. Pray asking (presenting our requests) God for what we need or desire using scripture to shape our prayer.

2. If the need is important, do not shy away from praying a great deal about the situation.  Many answers came after people spent months in prayer.

3. See if there is anything God wants or needs from you; for example, forgiveness of someone, tithing, giving, doing work for the kingdom of God, making lifestyle changes.

4. After we have presented our requests to God, start thanking Him for the answer.  Do not bad mouth God or His ability to answer prayer, even if that takes awhile.  Keep our words in line with our belief in God’s goodness.

5. Read books, listen to teachings on the power and success of prayer.  Open ourselves up to believing our prayers will be answered.  Open ourselves up to learn from people who have been successful at prayer.

6. Decide exactly what we would like God to do.  Is it realistic?  I can ask for a $3 million home on the beach; but that is not realistic for me right now.

7. Are there scriptures that cover (speak to) the need?

8. Do not be afraid to pray in tongues over the situation.

9. Check your own life and make sure you are in a position that God can answer you- repentance is easy to do.

10. Face the worst case scenario, so we are not praying out of panic or fear.

11. Be open to God changing our request.  I may be praying for a new BMW, and God may say a used Ford is what I need.

12. Make a commitment to stand with God because you love Him regardless of how things turn out.

13. Don’t be afraid to “speak to the mountain and tell it, ‘Be moved,’” or speak to your ministering angels to go forth and do what is needed.  It can feel silly to do, but it is what the scriptures tell us.

14. We can be praying in agreement with someone else, or we can “bind and loose” as we are told in scripture.  Do not shy away from making   your prayer life active and dynamic by following the scriptural teachings even if it seems uncomfortable or silly.

15. Continue to listen or read people who are successful at having prayer answered.  It keeps us encouraged and believing God for His provision.

A Guide to Shaping Your Prayer Life

“Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in Me through their word and teaching, that they all may be one, [just] as you, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.  I have given to them the glory and honor which You have give Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one.” John 17:20-23 (AMP)

John 17 - Jesus Prayed for Us

In what is sometimes referred to as the “real” Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays for himself (17:1-5), for his original disciples (17:6-19), and… you might be surprised to learn that Jesus also prays for you and me - all future disciples (17:20-26).

[Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, 2011]