As a Christian, one of the topics that I see other believers often struggle with is prayer.  Let me start this article by stating a few things. I’m not an “expert” in prayer, but I do pray regularly and I can share with you what I’ve learned, read, experienced and seen that works.  Also, the Bible is my reference source, so I apologize if you “heard” something from someone or somewhere that isn’t stated here.  My basis is God’s word, though I will use information from books that I’ve read that are relevant to the scriptures.

Praying with Power

Many times we knock on Heaven’s door, asking for answers or understanding, yet we feel that God is silent.  Often, we feel like the person in Luke 11 that Christ taught on after He explained to His disciples how to pray the Lord’s prayer:

Luke 11: 5-10

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him,6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

 

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

In this verse, Christ is showing that sometimes when we pray, we don’t get an answer right away.  Prayer is actually something we have to continually do, persistently.  There’s actually an entire book (I haven’t read it, but the author I recommend) about persistent prayer!  We have to keep seeking His face for our answer until we get it.  Maybe you’ve been believing for a miracle of healing, or a financial need, God is listening, but most of the time you have to keep hitting that door till it opens.  We give up too easily because we prayed a little 10 second prayer on our way out the house, but that’s not enough.  Not even life functions that way in the natural, what makes anyone think it’s easier in the supernatural realm of God?  I’m not trying to tell you either that if a prayer doesn’t come to pass to blame God.  All I can give you are biblical principles.  There are a million reasons why situations in life don’t turn out the way we want, even after prayer, but that’s for another post.

Practical Ways To Get Results

I’ve been in prayer/intercession meetings where people pray all night long, or for over an hour on the same topic with fire and passion.  I’ve seen hundreds of youth on their knees crying out for revival here in Miami, seeking God’s face for their family, city and friends to be transformed.  I’ve seen young adults come to the altar with loaded guns, prostitutes with their work clothes in a bag, weed, condoms and much more and have left them there, walking away from that lifestyle.  Do you know what convicted them?  Many times, they would say “Someone was always praying for me, asking me to come to church, or talking to me about God”, they finally gave in and rejected their sinful lifestyle.  I’ve never seen or read a testimony that went something like “this guy told me ‘Jesus loves you’ while I was walking, and that was it, I gave my life to Christ and stopped living in sin”.

Do I have all the answers?  Nope.  Do I understand God 100%?  Not even close.  Does life always make sense, even when your doing all you know how to live a sinless, holy life before Christ?  Nope.  

Let me list you some tips that I myself have found to work when it comes to seeing results in my prayer/personal life:

• If you pray in tongues (Holy Spirit prayer) then pray in tongues.
• Use worship music.  Some of my personal favorites are Hillsong, Bethel Music, Jesus Culture, Kari Jobe, Will Reagan and others.
• Be specific in what your praying for.  Too many times I see people say something like, “I’m going through a tough time, please pray for me”.  Huh?  When Christ prayed, He was specific and on point.  Learn to be open with God, share everything with Him.
• Open your mouth.  Don’t do the silent, quiet prayer thing.  Be vocal, be real.  Don’t be afraid and shy!
• Share with other believers what you need prayer for.  Get together with some believers and pray together.  God is present when more than one person is connected and in agreement (Matthew 18:20).
• Books I’ve read and can recommend on prayer:  Walking In The Supernatural Power of God / Power of Prayer Devotional / Prayer Changes Things

Was this post helpful?  What did you find most important or impacted the most by?  What prayers has God answered for you lately?

I would like the opportunity to pray for you, so please share below in the comments what we as a community can pray for.  If it’s too personal, you can e-mail me or just leave out some details.  God bless!  Thanks for reading.