7 TIPS TO PRAYING EFFECTIVELY

God has given us the privilege to call unto Him and ask anything from Him in the name of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. We have many of His promises about praying effectively written in the Bible. He gives us several assurances of answers to our prayers according to His word. He has promised us that when we ask anything, we will be given, when we seek Him, we will find Him and when we knock the gates of heaven, it will be opened unto us (Matt. 7 vs 7).

But, what happens when we pray and it seems our requests were not answered? Some people receive answers to their prayers while others don’t. What went wrong? The disciples of Jesus didn’t know how to ask or pray until they requested from the master Himself. He then introduced the Lord’s Prayer to them (Matthew 6 vs 9-13). We can also learn from Jesus model of prayer:

1. Worship God

It’s important to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Most High God when we come to Him by praying. Reverence God as the most powerful and all-knowing God. Whoever must come to Him must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11 vs 6). Worship Him with all your heart and all your soul. Come before His presence knowing that He is God of all.

Also, express your gratitude and thanksgiving to Him for all He has done, what He is doing and what He is yet to do for you. Give thanks always. Express your supplication with thanksgiving.

2. Confess it all

One thing that mostly hinders prayers is the presence of sin in our lives. The psalmist said, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. The only thing that separates us from God is sin in any shade. Jesus encourages us to let go of all hurt and sins in our lives before coming before God’s presence. He further explains that when you come before God and remember you have grudges with someone, refrain from the place of prayer and go settle your differences with such person. Forgive others and forgive yourself too.

3. Ask

God knows all our needs, but He wants us to ask Him for them. He encourages us to call unto Him for all our needs because He is willing and ready to answer us. He said, Call unto me, and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know (Jeremiah 33 vs 3). The simple task is for you to ask! Talk to Him about your needs.

4. Pray according to God’s will

Surrendering to God’s will in every situation is important. Sometimes, our requests are really not God’s will for us. God’s plan for us are good and better than what we can ever imagine for ourselves. Learn to pray according to God’s will by allowing yourselves to be led by His Holy Spirit. Allow God’s will to be done and you will be amazed at the result.

5. Never doubt! Have Faith!!

To make your request known to God, you must believe that He is able to answer them. Your faith expresses your confidence in a supreme God who is able to do more than you can ever ask or imagine. Never allow doubts in your heart about your request, believe and act in faith that your prayers have been answered.

6. Never get tired of praying

The bible encourages us to pray without ceasing and not to faint. Answers to our requests may not come as soon as we pray, but it’s important to always remind God about those needs and never give up on God. Pray always!

7. Again, give thanks

Remember to give thanks to God whenever you receive answers to your requests. Don’t forget to thanks Him and give Him glory for all He has done for you. Appreciate God for answered prayers!

If there’s a people to pray, then there’s a God to answer. We are not sufficient of ourselves, our sufficiency is of God, therefore let us learn to go to Him in prayer, reverencing Him with a clean heart, praying in faith and never forget to give Him thanks.