Understanding the Art of Prayer

Matthew 7:7-11 -“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

A wise man said ‘the failure of any human endeavour is prayer failure’. Prayer is defined as the process of asking and receiving. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth because it brings the hand of God into action among the people. To prevail means to gain mastery over; to be well established. In light of this definition, prevailing can be summarised as gaining mastery in the art of asking and receiving from God. Prevailing prayer is praying until you get results. Friend, prayer is an art that must be learnt or else we will be praying fruitlessly. Please note that activity is not always productivity. I will teach you how to pray in the right way so that you will not pray in vain. To pray in the right way, you must have the right ingredients. Like any food we eat, if it does not contain the right ingredients, it will not taste right. So too with prayer; if we don’t embark on prayer with the right elements we will not get the right outcome.

Components of prayer

A strong desire – without a strong desire or need, prayer cannot be born and if it is born it will be wishy-washy. For example, when you have a major need, your passion in prayer is greater because you have a pending issue; You will be focused and determined. Proverbs 18:1 –Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

The Word of God – Prayer is meant to be a start on a note of victory. You should find what God says about your need and pray on that basis. Please be aware that prayer is not meant to change God, it is meant to change you and the things around you. Prayer changes things not God. Jeremiah 15:16 –Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Faith – When you find the promise in the Bible that deals with your issue, then take hold of it and meditate on it until you believe it as yours. If it is available in the Word of God then it can be done and it is yours for the taking. Remember it is your faith in God’s ability that makes your effort outstanding. Mark 11:23-24 – For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them

The name of Jesus – The only name by which we get access to God and His promise is the name of Jesus. Never say a prayer without the name of Jesus. Do it all in the name of Jesus. John 14:14 – If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Fervency – You can’t get God to move on your behalf if you have a nonchalant or laid back attitude to prayer. You will need to get a grip of yourself and be earnest about your request. We only see how God moves when we seek Him with all of our heart. James 5:16 – The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Perseverance – while prayer is not meant to be a chore, it is not a drive through a restaurant or fast food joint. It entails fellowship and a relationship with God. Prayer is a conversation between you and God so time and patience are involved. You have to learn to do it God’s way to win God’s way. Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.

Results – this is the reward that comes with praying in the right way and in line with God’s set out pattern. Matthew 7:8 – For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Note: you receive your results in prayer but the manifestation of them after prayer time. So you receive by faith before you see the manifestation in the physical; this is where a lot of people miss it. You should start and end prayer on a note of victory. When we pray the Word, the Word has enough power in it to work out our results.

For Further Study

Mark 1:35; Psalm 16:11

Personal declaration for the day

My prayer life is effective and will manifest godly results in Jesus name.

Questions for you to reflect on

Where is prayer on your list of priority?

Do you believe God answers prayers?