Effective prayer

Miri · Sep 24, 2017

I think the most effective prayers are those that are sincere
and honest before God. Those with no pretence. Those which are
genuine communication with Father God, those prayers that are said because
we want to pray rather than because we have to or just to look good in
front of others.

After all if someone talks to you, one would hope they mean what they say and they
are talking to you because they want to.

Below are examples of how not to do it.

[video]https://youtu.be/DzaZZZsyVXI[/video]

Miri · Sep 24, 2017

If you want examples of heart felt prayers, read the Psalms.

David wasn't afraid to express his feelings and share his troubles with
God. Nor was he afraid to praise and thank God.

The other thing God knows what we need even before we ask.
Ive had plenty of experiences where I have prayed about
something and the answer has come. But the preparation work and the
way things lined up to answer those prayers was set in motion before I even
asked and before I even knew I needed anything!

unobtrusive · Sep 24, 2017

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ( James 5:16b) availeth = has power.

So what makes a person righteous? Being innocent. How on earth do we accomplish that when the Word clearly says that we all fall short?

Well, I don’t know how you feel but I know there is no way I am ‘innocent’ until I have confessed my known sins and asked for God’s forgiveness. And in order to confess my wrong attitudes and thoughts, whether I verbalized them or not, requires...”humility”. Can we just skip that part. Who, within our own self really wants to do it let alone to read it, study it, and attribute to it? Moving on…

The following is quite facetious, but deep inside I have actually done this.

The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29)

He will listen to me because I’m not wicked. Oh,! what a saint I am thus far.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10 )

Wow this is even better!

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)

I like this one – I can make people believe I’m righteous, especially if I tell myself often enough that I come around to believe it myself. You know the saying “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it,” was originally referring to politics and politicians, but if it works there, it will work for me.

I always say that if a person is going to use scripture to back up his or her actions, behavior, or beliefs, to be sure to take all of the relevant passages throughout the entire Bible and the context in which you chosen verse are written.

Ephesians 4:20-24
20 But ye have not so learned (of or from) Christ;

…Oh dear, this isn’t good….

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

There, in verse 24…looking a little closer, those last few words…”is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Heavy on the “TRUE”…so much for convincing myself and others of my righteousness. If it has to be real, that would mean I would have to find humility hidden somewhere deep inside myself and meet our omniscient heavenly Father on my knees.

dcontroversal · Sep 24, 2017

The fervent prayers of a RIGHTEOUS MAN brings much to pass.

The key is in ALL CAPS.

unobtrusive · Sep 25, 2017

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5:6 )
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

I like the last part of these 2 verses! But I can’t have it without the first part...humility and being humble is no fun! In fact, my ego is being crushed by the mere thought of it!

Every direction I turn I see the need for humility stuck in my face. So going back to James 5, I want to see what follows verse 16.
“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)

Wow! Elijah was only a man like myself, and he made the rain stop for over three years? I always assumed he was “special” somehow.

What? I don’t have that kind of power! Have I forgotten what I saw in the mirror. Could be. “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” (James 1:23-24)

While I prayed, God brought it to my attention that I can ask all day long, but if I have not asked forgiveness for my sins, my prayers are as good as bouncing off the ceiling. I said, “I did ask you to forgive my sins I might have committed and help me not to do the things that displease you any more.”

He lovingly responded, Which sins? Examine yourself with my Word being your standard, and find the sins so you can find them out. “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

And then vainly ask me to keep forgiving you when you blind your eyes toward your own sins?”

We can say to ourselves, “Yes I sin and through Christ I’m forgiven because he knows my sin even if I don’t,” we instigate a conundrum for ourselves. If we don’t investigate the Word of God to honestly, and eventually, find out the truth about ourselves, and where we are falling short, we render ourselves incapable of confessing sins that we purposefully are ignorant to. On the other hand, that gets rid of this conundrum, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

MessageOfTheCross · Sep 25, 2017

MessageOfTheCross said:

Luke 9:23 - And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Denial of self is humbling yourself while presenting your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). It is recognizing my moral and spiritual poverty, that their is no good in me and that I am unable to serve God in my own strength and power. We see this in the first three Beatitudes (Matthew 5).

[SUP]3 [/SUP]Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Take up your cross is seen in Matthew 5:6.[SUP]
6 [/SUP]Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

I am filled by God's provisions found in Christ by placing my Faith exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified (Believing who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done), and I receive all the benefits of this Resurrection Life by understanding that we have been planted together (Christ and ourselves) in the likeness of His Death (Romans 6:3-5).

The Believer who believes that God is in total control of their life is yoked with Jesus (resting). Matthew 11:29-30

All that I have stated is not a work of labor but an act of Faith by believing only.

Faith without works is dead, i.e., Faith without believing only is dead.

[SUB][SUP]
[/SUP][/SUB]

MessageOfTheCross · Sep 25, 2017

MessageOfTheCross said:

[SUP]3 [/SUP]Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

[SUP]3 [/SUP]Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit (conscious of moral poverty): for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven (the moral characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of the heavens; and so it is apparent that the New Birth is an absolute necessity for entrance into that Kingdom [John 3:3]; this Kingdom is now present spiritually, but not yet physically).

[SUP]4 [/SUP]Blessed are they that mourn (grieved because of personal sinfulness): for they shall be comforted (what the Holy Spirit will do for those who properly evaluate their spiritual poverty).

[SUP]5 [/SUP]Blessed are the meek (the opposite of the self-righteous; the first two Beatitudes guarantee the "meekness"): for they shall inherit the earth (speaks of the coming Kingdom Age, when the "Kingdom of Heaven" will be brought down to Earth, when the Saints will rule with Christ as its Supreme Lord).

JSM

MessageOfTheCross · Oct 28, 2017

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus. I humbly come to You recognizing my moral and spiritual poverty, that there is no good and hope in me. I know I am unable to serve You in my own strength and power. But today I place my Faith exclusively in Your beloved Son Jesus in whom You are please and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won so that His life would be lived through me. And I receive all the benefits of this Resurrection Life by understanding that we have been planted together (Christ and myself) in the likeness of His Death (Romans 6:3-5; 2 Cor. 4:10-12 ).

I believe who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. I thank You and praise You FatherGod for the most precious gift in Heaven, my Sacrifice and Saviour Lord Jesus Christ who died on the Cross for my sins. He bore my sins that I may bare His righteousness. He was cursed that I may be blessed. He became poor, that through His poverty I might be rich. He took my infirmities, and bore my sicknesses and diseases; and by His stripes I am healed. He was raised from the dead without my sins,and I have been raised in Him. And today I sit with Him at Your right hand resting.

I thank You and praise You Father God that I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, Wholoved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God:for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Father God, I thank You and praise You for the price You paid to buy me, redeem me, and set me free from the "Law of sin and death," to a life of victory in the "Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus." Father God, I thank You and Praise You for Your justifying, sanctifying, and perfect peace I have with You because of Lord Jesus Christ Sacrifice and His Finished Work at Calvary's Cross. LORD, I thank You and praise You because I am complete in Him and that You are in complete control of my life. In Jesus name I pray –Amen.

Nehemiah6 · Oct 28, 2017

Pray tell what is unrighteous about this? Please note: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:16,17)

Did you notice that doctrine is the first item mentioned, since it has the first priority? If a person is following false doctrine, then pretty soon his beliefs and his actions will become unrighteous.

KelbyofGod · Oct 28, 2017

How are you defining "effective"?

I'd ask for your personal answer rather than a biblical quote or a copy/paste from a dictionary...because where you are really trying to go could make a difference on what you have to do to get there.

KelbyofGod · Oct 28, 2017

KelbyofGod said:

For example, if I'm truly praying to get an answer (instead of just to be able to say "I prayed") then an "effective" prayer would be one that produces either the change that's being requested, or an explanation as to why the request is outside of his will.

Stunnedbygrace · Oct 28, 2017

Big sigh here when I read your op. I'm going to read through the thread because I am not a very good prayer. I don't pray pretty like some people do. And the only time I pray out loud is when no one is around.

I have never thought to pray where it didn't start with me realizing all over again that I don't know how to pray. And don't know what to pray. I'll start with what I think I should pray only to find out, after stumbling and fumbling around (and lots of sighing), that I was not praying for what I needed to pray or about what I needed to pray.

And then it hits me and I know what to pray and so it is a great relief and I finally pray with purpose.

And the next time, it is the same. I find I don't know how to pray all over again.

I used to think this was me doing it wrong, but this is just what prayer has become and the only way I know to do it. A time of bumbling around followed by knowing suddenly what to pray, all that sighing and then finding the right few words, the exact thing that I need to pray.

Anyway, I'll read the thread now.

KelbyofGod · Oct 28, 2017

Stunnedbygrace said:

You're not alone in that description. That's exactly how I would have described some things i'd been concerned about and had been praying about for several months. I don't think I have a great answer of what to do about it other than to do as well as you can and keep thanking him for what he's doing, how your growing, and the opportunity to come before him.

slave · Oct 28, 2017

"Until now you have not asked for ANYTHING in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your Joy will be complete." (John 16:24).

So here we see insight into both effectual prayer and ineffectual prayer don't we? Its not "what" or "how" we pray its "who we are" when we pray, which then follows with the how and what given by the Holy Spirit. We see even more insight into effectual prayer when we read (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."

Now we again see that it is who we are from inside out not outside in that counts here, for God also says we are to live freely the life God has given us. The key phrase there is, "what God has given us." Ineffectual prayer is when we ask in our own self-awareness for God's sake, even when we paint it with morality. Effectual prayer is whatever the Holy Spirit invests in us to live out naturally in and thru ourselves as spiritual redemptive lives found rooted in Christ. And yet, all of this does not keep God from being ever-so-faithful to us nonetheless, as His purposes and intentions indicate.

James says in (5:16-18), as has been partially quoted already, "that the effectual servant prayer from a righteous man (a man in Christ) availeth much." We tend to think this means an emotional man doing best for God, and not a person wrought out by God in Spiritual awareness and fervency. We must wait on God to develop our life and prayers and passions and allow His presence in our personality to render itself real there in the circumstances lived out walking thru the walls of life. The shrine of our conscious life is placed, therefore, in a sacredness of circumstances engineered by God whereby He secures our effectual calling. That God engineers our circumstances for us if we accept His purpose in Christ Jesus is a thought of great practical consideration here.

What battle are we wrestling with in life? Why can’t we seem to gain the victory over it? Why can’t we defeat your enemy (spiritual)? Maybe it’s because WE are fighting the battle and not allowing God to do it. Maybe it’s because we are fighting it with “human wisdom” and not following God’s Word or His instructions in walking in His light thru righteousness. Maybe we have not ASKED FOR HIS HELP (and sometimes we ASK but then after we pray we proceed to get up and keep trying to HELP GOD work it out!!).

Why not STOP. Ask for God to intervene, ask for a miracle that only He can do and then LISTEN and OBEY HIS VOICE and DO IT HIS WAY!!!!!! One more time: Obedience brings victory. Child of God you can’t – You cannot get victory by walking in THE FLESH during the week and “in the Spirit” on Sunday. We (meaning each of us) must walk by faith and not by sight! He is in control, so we need to let go of the steering wheel. And allow Him to employ our will in the right way and pray in power, finding productivity in our prayer lives. But keep in mind, even a "No" by God is productive when He establishes our steps in keeping with the love of Christ in rebuke and correction and training and teaching..

We need to live thru faith and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us spiritually, and then think for a moment that we are to be a walking, living edition of the prayers of the Holy Spirit. No wonder God urges us to walk in the Light! No wonder His Spirit prays in us and makes intercessions with groaning we cannot utter. We may feel burdened or we may not; we may consciously know nothing about it; the point is that God puts us into circumstances where He can answer the prayers of His Son and of the Holy Spirit which, if we remain in Christ, will produce us to pray as it is our own life now. Not about certain things, but continually about all things. Recall Jesus' prayer - "that they may be One, even as We are One..."

That is a Oneness of personality to the inner Godhead which is our New Creation, as we are born-again, as well as the corporate Church Body which is spiritually single-minded in Unity under Christ Jesus with one another. Our prayer life finds power as our individuality is completely transfigured. Effective prayer, therefore, comes when independence is lost and identity revealed.

(James 5:16-18) says, "he prayed earnestly.." that phrase literally means, "he prayed in prayer." You see prayer is not the means to an end it is the work of the Holy Spirit filled with power to serve God in His intentions and purposes; thus, it is the end and the means. It is also who we become as we transform into the likeness of Christ thru maturing into sons and daughters of the family of God.

Pray on! Pray well! Pray that God will guide us and move us into His power to serve Him well! His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven... His Word promises us this is reality; this is truth, may we rest in Christ Jesus and share in His glory.

joaniemarie · Oct 29, 2017

unobtrusive said:

Those who have Jesus were given a new heart and a new righteous standing so God the Father ALWAYS hears us because we are IN Christ. There is no more veil hung between us and the Holy of Holies where God is anymore. Because of Jesus we have total and free access at all times because of Jesus who is alive forever more.

Jesus is not like the old testament high priests who had to keep coming back again and again making more sacrifices and never sitting down... EVER... they were never allowed to sit down. Jesus made ONE sacrifice and then sat down at the right hand of the Father.... He even said "It is finished" He is all we will ever need today and forever because He will never die.

Jesus lives after the power of an endless life. So don't believe that you can't come to the Father if you have any sin.... you have no sin that needs to be paid for anymore. Jesus paid for all of your sins and God said He will no longer count our sins against us because of Jesus. ALLELUIA !!!!!

Nehemiah6 · Oct 29, 2017

joaniemarie said:

These misleading statements are the outcome of listening to -- and believing -- false teachers.

1. Christians who have been born again (new heart) and justified by grace through faith (righteous standing before God) can and do sin. And as the Bible makes it perfectly clear, they must deal with their present sins in order to commune with (fellowship) with God. Obviously you ignored everything that was discussed about what is taught in the first epistle of John.

2. "You have no sin that needs to be paid for" does NOT mean "You have no sin that can become a barrier to communication with God". All our sins were indeed paid for, but "If we say we have no sin we make God a liar, and the truth is not in us". Hence "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So joaniemarie, your post has made God a liar.

joaniemarie · Oct 29, 2017

Colossians 2:6 says "as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord., so walk ye in him." That means you were saved by putting faith in God's grace alone., then you maintain that relationship the exact same way. Just like the old hymn Just as I am without one plea.... That's what we need to sing all the way through our Christian lives.

Failure to understand that is at the root of all guilt and condemnation. And that's satan's only inroad into our lives.... sin. If we understand our right standing with God on the basis of what Jesus did for us., and not by our own actions., then satan's power to condemn is gone. Those who live with feelings of unworthiness are not trusting God's righteousness but looking to establish their own righteousness. That never works Nehemiah.

What you are not understanding is our right standing with God doesn't depend on our confession of our sins for what happens if you forget to mention one? OHH NO... your doomed!!. But we don't go on that basis., we go on the fact that Jesus paid for all our sins and gave us the gift of His righteousness. Going before God in Christ and His gift of righteousness is the only way to defeat the enemy and sin in our lives.

I didnt say we don't sin. We do and we will as long as we are in these temporal bodies. But we are sinning less and learning more about the righteousness of Jesus Christ and that we are now the righteousness of God IN Christ.. And our access to God is not dependent on anything but Jesus. If we go before Him any other way we are going in our own righteousness and we have none. That self righteousness would be the only barrier between us and God so dump it and sing.... just as I am without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me.....

stonesoffire · Oct 29, 2017

Since we always fall short of Gods perfection even without conscious sins committed, if we could not come before Father until one is perfect, which is basically what you are teaching Nehemiah, then none of us could ever do this.

Perhaps you don't know that the actual blood of Jesus has been poured out in the heavenly sanctuary before Father? How do you think Jesus is our continual intercessor? Do you picture Him pleading for Father to forgive each of us every time we fail?

All our sin, the very nature of that we are born of...sin, was laid on Him on that Cross. He took the curse of sin and death, took it into hell where it belongs, and rose up out of death victorious! All the sin that we could imagine and it's judgement on us for it...removed. The curse no longer needs to apply to us if we believe.

His blood is a continual cry of mercy. And it's our being connected to Father now as His very own children, that He welcomes us into His throne room....as the scripture states, boldly without fear. No need to shrink back.

Im not defending Prince. I don't follow his teachings. But, I've never read anything yet that I see as off base concerning salvation.

Im speaking out of my own personal word studies overcall the years. I was blessed in a way to be disabled and not able to do things except for my own basic needs for several years. But, I could study. I fell in love with the Hebrew language, and I seek to see the Lord in my studies,
.

I would suggest you drop your attack on this mans ministry for who are any of us over and above another man. Let God be his judge, for he will rise or fall before His own maker. Same as everyone of us. And you.

If we walk in the light, open and communing with the Lord daily, and I believe this man is or he could not minister successfully, then the blood of Jesus washes our conscience and points out any errors of thinking, and delivers us in this manner for only Holy Spirit has this job of salvation or sanctification.

You could contact Prince yourself and discuss your difficulties with accepting him, rather than accusing him, and Joanie of false teaching.

stonesoffire · Oct 29, 2017

Now back to the topic. I pray more in the Spirit than I do in my own language. It is the only way I know to continually be in prayer.

And I've received instruction on many things while doing this. Even personal touch.

Rosemaryx · Oct 29, 2017

Miri said:

Hi miri...I have to admit I found this hysterical, I laughed out loud

...And more to the point, I am guilty of many who has prayed like this, and as for the man with the list, well that had me rolling of my bed with laughter hahaha...

...xox...

Effective prayer

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