Promises for those who pray
Psalm 6:9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Pray today that God will continue to build up your faith and answer your petitions on behalf of the poor and suffering.
Sometimes we feel like our prayers are ineffective and missing the mark -- like we're lobbing up bricks that are not reaching the ear of God.
10 Principles of Prayer that can revolutionize your prayer life:
1. Prayer is your highest appeal, not your
last resort.
2. When we seek the Lord
together, it multiplies our power.
- God certainly responds to a lone person's prayer.
- BUT, God does something special when we pray together. (Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 2:1-4)
3. Prayer is a conversation in the
court of the King.
- Don't forget that it's GOD who you're addressing. Respect is in order.
4. Build prayer on the solid
foundation of God's sovereignty.
- God is in charge, and is the final authority.
5. Don’t build your case to God
based on what you deserve.
- God is not impressed by OUR holiness, and doesn't OWE us anything in response to what we've done.
- He hasn't dealt with us as severely as we deserve.
6. Build a case on God's agenda not your
own.
- “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
7. Remind God of
what He has done for others, and what He has promised to do for you.
- Reminding God reminds US. If He has done it before, He can do it again.
8. Don't always pray for God to
make things better; pray for him to make you bolder.
- After being forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus, the apostles prayed, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servantsto continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And
when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together
was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued
to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:29-31)
9. Expect God to
move in response to your prayer.
- "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)
10. If you're going to ask, be
prepared to act.
- The answer to your prayer is often the action God prompts you to take.
- Listen for God to lead you and prepare for Him to enable you to act with wisdom and boldness.