PRAYING, PART 2

Aside from the fact that effective prayer should have a commanding component in regard to the spiritual forces that surround us, as discussed in yesterday's Blog post, there are several additional components that make prayer effective. First, prayer should recognize the supreme authority of God. We should be focused on establishing God's authority and kingdom of absolute righteousness on the earth, not our personal kingdom or the devil's evil reign. God's kingdom seeks no evil and no vengeance, not even against the enemies of God. If you are praying that evil circumstances should be visited on someone, you are hindering God's kingdom and are working to establish the devil's reign.

Second, we always should pray for God's perfect will. What we think is best is not necessarily what is best in the long term, or when all unknown and unseen circumstances are taken into account. Praying in God's will is an expression of humility, and recognizes that only God can see into the future and know what is truly best for us and for our world.

​Third, effective prayer always is prayed with clean hands and a pure heart. Guilt or unforgiveness always will hinder our prayers and make them relatively powerless. When circumstances arise for which we should seek God's forgiveness and cleansing, we should do so instantly, as soon as we become aware of the need for cleansing, so that our prayers will not be hindered. Guilt and unforgiveness block God's ability to hear our prayers, and are similar to the static on a radio that makes it difficult to hear the radio announcer.

Fourth, effective prayer always asks God's protection to keep our motives and intentions pure. It recognizes the ease with which we can be deceived and led into evil, and requests God's protection of our hearts and minds so that we remain single-minded and on the narrow road that leads to life eternal. It also requests God's deliverance from any evil actions or evil motives in which we unwittingly have become entangled.

Fifth, effective prayer acknowledges that we have no intention of ever ascending to the throne of God. It seeks only God's glory, now and for all eternity.