2013 ~ God’s Best Ministries

“The Prayer of a Righteous Person

is Powerful & Effective.”

    - James 5:16b [NIV]

The Bible is a fantastic blueprint for our prayer life.  Not only did Jesus teach His disciples [and us] how to pray with the Lord’s prayer, there are many verses which provide us the substance and direction on prayer, including: how to pray, when to pray, why we should pray, who or what to pray for.  

Scriptures for Prayer

You may have noticed we use a few different versions of the Bible when referencing our scriptures.  This is because the authors of the site regularly refer to at least 4 different Bible versions in their own studies. Each version  provides a unique translation and insight into the Word of God.  For your research and reference, listed are the four most used translations (in no particular order):

1) King James Version  [KJV]

2) New International Version [NIV]

3) Amplified Version [AMP]

4) The Message [MSG]

Different Bible Versions

“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20 KJV)

This is the prayer of agreement, where at least two people come together to get an answer.  There are some unique wording here that needs to be clarified.  First point is word agree needs to be expounded on.  The original Greek word is sumphoneo, where we get the word symphony.  It means being harmonious, or in one accord.  It is like a symphony, which blends all the different instruments together to create a beautiful and powerful piece of music.  The prayer of agreement is the same way.  We come together in perfect harmony to create a powerful prayer.

The second point is the phrase “as touching anything.”  The word touching there comes from the Greek word peri which means through, around, with respect to, or concerning.  What the scripture means here is that regarding any issue we have, and when we ask God for it, it is done.  That is a very powerful statement Jesus made there.  

There are several examples in the Bible where agreement between people bring powerful results.  First is Acts 2:1,4 (KJV), the day the Holy Spirit came to the earth to stay, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues...”  The word accord there means unanimously, in one mind.  The disciples were there, all in harmonious accord, then one of the greatest movements of the Holy Spirit hit.  We don’t believe that is a coincidence.

“And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight” (Leviticus 26:8 KJV)

“How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock has sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?” (Deuteronomy 32:30 KJV)  

Both show that with more than one, the power associated grows exponentially.  With God, two are much more powerful than one.

Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.
- R. A. Torrey

Prayer Begins in Praising God:                                                    [All scriptures NIV]

Psalm 34:1             "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Philippians 4:4      "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice!"

Psalm 66:3              "Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power...'"

Hebrews 13:15      "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name."

Confidence in Prayer:

Philippians 4:6       "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I Thess. 5:16,17:    "Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Luke 18:1                 "... they should pray and not give up."

Hebrews 4:16         "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Reasons for Prayer Failures:

Mark 11:25    "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

James 1:6,7:  "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;..."

James 4:3      "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Matt. 26:41    "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.   The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Prayer Encouragement:

John 16:24    "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

James 5:13    "Is any of you in trouble? He should pray..."

John 15:7      "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."

Psalm 4:3      "Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him."

Praying Continually:

Matthew 7:7          "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you.  (The Greek tense denotes continual action)

Luke 18:1                "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

1 Timothy 5:5         "The widow ... puts her hope in God and continues night and day to ask God for help."

1 Thess. 5:17          "... pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

Ephesians 6:18      "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests.  With this is mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Romans 12:12       "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Effective Prayer…

• Takes a close relationship with God
• Can be time consuming
• Is based on scripture and God’s promises
• Is easier when we can pray in the Spirit
• Is geared towards finding

     God’s will and praying for that

• Means that God is the most important thing in our lives.