In the last couple of weeks I’ve had several friends, a few of them just kids, need urgent prayers for healing. I’m always happy to do this, and usually stop in my tracks and pray immediately so I won’t forget. It seems that all of the prayers were answered in the best possible way, with necks, backs, appendixes, etc. undergoing successful surgeries.

Prayer is an amazingly powerful way to shoot arrows of healing, comfort, guidance and peace to people all over the world. It’s a proven way to improve your own situation, whatever that may be. It’s the one bit of control we have when the world seems chaotic and out of control.

James 5:16 tells us that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” So how can we ensure the most power from our prayers? Here are a few ideas to ponder.

OBEY GOD

This one seems obvious, but staying in good standing with God is critical. In order to have a close relationship with God and please Him, we must trust and obey.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7

PRAY IN HIS WILL

When we ask for things for our own selfish pleasures, or want things that are not in the will of God, we should not expect answers. But when we ask according to His will, with our hearts, He will hear, and answer.

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

PRAY IN JESUS’ NAME

Jesus is our advocate, our Great High Priest, mediating between us and God. Through Him we are made holy and put in a right relationship with God.

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

PRAY WITH FAITH THAT YOUR PRAYER WILL BE ANSWERED

It may take a while for God to rearrange a situation in order to say ‘yes’ to your prayer, but He hears your prayer even before you ask (Matthew 6:8).

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6-7

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Jesus spent a lot of time praying. He prayed for strength to face the day and strength to withstand the temptations of Satan. He prayed for His disciples, for Jerusalem and for us. He even taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. He showed us that prayer is power cord that keeps us connected to the mightiest power source in the universe: Almighty God.

So, stay plugged in – or as they say down south, stay ‘prayed up’ – so you’ll be ready to fire off those desperate, heartfelt, emergency prayer arrows all over the world in any situation, assured that God will hear and work all things to good according to His purposes.

Prayerfully,

Jen