April 5, 2021

The Power Of Prayer

© 2002, 2021 by Anna Hazen

So, you need prayer, hum? Does it seem like you’re not getting answers? What’s the problem? The answer is simple. Some kind of sin is in your life.

Romans 6:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

No matter how small a matter it may seem to you, your quality time spent with God every day counts greatly in His eyes. When we “forget” or just plain choose not to pray, the time we don’t spend with our Heavenly Father causes an empty void when it comes down to answered prayers.

Luke 11:9-10 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

This is what prayer is. Seeking God, Asking God, and Knocking on God’s door of opportunity.

John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

When you were a small child, and you wanted something, you went to your father or mother and asked for it, right? And eight times out of ten, you got what you asked for simply because you asked politely (I hope).

God will do the same for us. He is our Heavenly Creator. When we go to Him and ask for what it is we want or need, again, nine times out of ten, He will give us what it is we ask for; IF it is in His will, and our needs and wants are equal. What do I mean by this? I will explain by the following story.

There was a lady who needed to move into an apartment because her house was just too big for her to take care of any more. Now, here was a woman who loved the Lord and did all that she should be doing as one who claimed she loved Him. She obeyed all the commandments, she was a powerful help in her church. The only thing she needed was an apartment.

“But”, she stated emphatically to the real estate broker. “I want fire engine red curtains on the windows”.

Was she picky or what? Well, she had sold her house already and had only a few more days left before she was to be out of it so the new family could move in. So she went to God and told Him, “Lord, I need an apartment. I know and believe you will give me one; but… I want fire engine red curtains on the windows”.

A few days later – the day before she was to be out, she got a call from the realtor who said that she had an apartment for her to look at.

“Does it have fire engine red curtains on the windows, if it doesn’t, I don’t even want to see it?” she asked. Well, the realtor hadn’t seen it yet and she didn’t know. “We can go and take a look at it together if you’d like”, she suggested. So they went to take a look.

When they walked into the apartment, it was exactly as she wanted… Yes, On the windows were the redest fire engine red curtains you ever saw!

See, God knows what we need and what we want. When we ask, He puts the two together and “blesses our socks off” IF we believe. He may not give it to us right when we want it, but He is never late when we need it!

Our receiving from our earthly parents depends largely upon how we behave. If you were naughty, Mom or Dad would say “no!” when you dared to ask them for something right after you broke a window… or spoke rudely to them. Right? But when you repented to them, and did your punishment quietly, you were forgiven and then maybe given what you ask for. Well, that’s usually how it worked for my children ~ most of the time.

Our heavenly Father wants us to come to Him for our needs and forgiveness the same way. When we need or want something, He is the first to know it. He knows what you want and why you want it even before you even think to desire it. Now isn’t that something?

Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

When we go to our parents for something, if we have been good, we get it. But most of the time, as children, it is simply out of greed that we wanted something (candy or toys for instance). If we, as adults, have been obedient to God’s commandments, He too will bless us the same way. But He will not bless us if we are simply greedy. There is a saying that goes something like this: “Too much of a good thing is bad for you”. However like that sweet, little old lady, her needs and her wants matched up. And she when humbly and lovingly, yet boldly before God and just asked Him!

There may be times that we must be bold and persistent with our requests to God.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent (biazō = urgenly persistant) take it by force.

If your prayers seem as though they are not being answered right away, it may be that He is testing your faith that He will hear you and grant your request. It may also be because you have sin in your life somewhere. If you, yourself, regard iniquity in your heart, in other words, if you know you have sinned, God will not answer your request until you “clear it up”.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:…
Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

1 John 2:9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us

Another way to know your prayers will be answered is (this may seem funny to you) acknowledging and complimenting The Father. Tell Him how wonderful you think His creation is; how marvelous are the Works of His hands. When you wanted something from your parents you said nice things to them, didn’t you? Now, I don’t mean “bribe”. What I mean (and God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts) is to just give God the love and respect He deserves! Here, persistence pays off if there is right living and obedience on your part, as well as knowing, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you will receive what it is you are asking for. Jesus taught us this principle when He taught the apostles how to pray.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (acknowledging God’s power and giving Him all the praise). Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

:3 Give us day by day our daily bread (making the request).

:4 And forgive us our sins (acknowledging that we are sinners in need of a Savior); for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil (asking for courage and protection against the evil of this world).

Prayer can cover a multitude of areas; from forgiveness to receiving a house, to healing for a loved one. It’s all in how you are living your life and how and why you are asking. God loves you more than you think your parents or spouse ever could. And He wants you to have and be the best… not second best.

You may not be “saved” right now, but you are in a situation that you want to get out of. When you cry out to God to deliver you, even from where you are in your sin, He will hear you and answer your prayer. You may be on drugs, or addicted to alcohol to the point of giving up. God will deliver you and save you and change you.

Prayers is simply conversation with our heavenly Father. It is how you pray and what you ask for and your believing to receive which determines the outcome.

Believing equals receiving.

Prayer is our way of communicating with God, our Heavenly Father. Whenever we say anything to God, no matter how we are saying or thinking it, it is prayer. Though God already knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

He still wants to hear from us constantly. This is what I like to call “practicing His presence”. When we “practice His presence” we are more alert of how we behave and live. Our prayer lives should reflect our personal life.

Before we go to God with a request, we must first be certain that there is no unforgiven sin in our lives. If there is, it must first be cleared up. Then we can make our requests know to Him with thanksgiving and boldness.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift (even if it is a gift of praise, or tithes and offerings) before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent (determined) take it by force (believing).


Let’s look at what the prayer should contain. It is similar to writing a letter. You have the salutation, the opening, the body and the closing statement, right? Take a look:

Salutation: Greeting: Our Father which art in heaven,

Opening: Praise and worship and thanksgiving: Hallowed be thy name (acknowledging God’s power and giving Him all the praise). Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Body: Fellowship or communion (just chilling out with your Heavenly “Daddy”, if you will); Confession of sins, Intercessory prayer, Petitions for personal help, Submission to His will: Give us, day by day, our daily bread (making the request). And forgive us our sins (acknowledging that we are sinners in need of a Savior); for we also forgive every one that is indebted (or offended) to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil (asking for courage and protection against the evil of this world).

Close: (my own input here is as an example): In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, Amen.

Then our Savior goes on to tell us how, by our praying, we will be blessed:

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

:24 Hitherto (before now) have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

When we pray alone, in our own private places, as Jesus tells us to, we are secretly spending quality time with God, our Heavenly Father; just as you would spend private quality time with your earthly father when you need to talk with him alone. This is what He, God, loves; private, quality time with His children. Then He will reward us openly by answering our requests.

This helps to build our faith in Him, also. Our faith triggers action from God. When we believe, there is nothing in God’s will, that He would not do for us. But without faith we will not and cannot receive answers to our prayers. Prayer builds faith. If it is in His will for us to have it, we will have it when we make the request known.


This next section are those scriptures referring to Prayer Itself. Take the time to search out and study each Scripture passage for yourself. They will be a blessing to you, I am sure.

We are commanded to pray and recognize that GOD IS God.

Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead (reason) together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Isaiah 44:6-7 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

We are taught to how pray:

Matthew 6:5-8 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Use the acronym A. C. T. S. to help you remember.
A. Acknowledge God IS God:
God IS our Creator
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

5:1-2 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Isaiah 45:5-7 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

God IS God Almighty
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 35:11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins

2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

God IS Father to the believer
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Which makes Him our Father)

1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

God IS our Salvation
Psalms 62:1-2 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 51:4-5 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Psalms 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

God IS our Strength
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Isaiah 28:5-6 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

God IS our Peace
Leviticus 26:3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them

:6-7 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.

Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Job 25:2 Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.
Ephesians 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

:19-20 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

God IS our Health
Isaiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Isaiah 58:4 (although this passage is regarding fasting, it also depends on obedience to His Word whether our health is restored) Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh (family members)?

:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

God IS our Everlasting To Everlasting
Genesis 21:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto usa child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

God IS our Protector
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

:39-40 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

:41-42 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with theblood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revengers upon the enemy.

:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people

God’s Son IS King of Kings and Lord Of lords
Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

God IS Merciful
Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Read also all of Psalms 136

Jeremiah 3:12-13 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

Luke 6:35-37 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven

God IS Gracious
Isaiah 30:18-19 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

God IS Kind
Luke 6:35-36 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

God IS Loving
John 15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s com-mandments, and abide in his love.

1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

God is our Provider
Luke 12:22-26 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

:27-28-31 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

:25-27 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

:28-30 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

God IS Wisdom and Understanding
Exodus 31:1-3 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (It had to be His to give)

1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. (It had to be God’s in the first place before He could bestow it on Solomon.)

Ephesians 3:9-11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God

C. Confess Your Sins

Nehemiah 9:1-3 (here is a good example) Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (This does not mean hidden behind a closed door with a curtained divider between you and a priest, like one denomination does. It means to confess – face to face if possible – to the one you offended and to God privately and not in the open where everyone can see and hear.)

T. Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (meditate) on these things.

The consequences of our prayer life depends on our attitude and actions that we take during each day. If we meditate on those things in verse 8, then we will be ready and armed against the enemies attack. The Bible says that the devil goes around seeking whom he may devour:

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

So we have need to be constantly alert and aware of how we live our daily walk with Christ.

Being thankful in all things, does not mean to be thankful for all things. For example: If my home were to catch fire somehow (God forbid); I would not be thankful that my house was burned to the ground. No!. But I can be thankful that I and my family was saved alive. And I know that God will provide a new home for us when I ask him.

Or, if you were having problems at your job. Don’t be thankful for those problems, but be thankful in them, that you not only have your job, but that you know that God will provide a way through and out of these problems. God knows our hearts and what we have need of.

Read through the book of Psalms. This book is loaded with all kinds of reasons for prayer and thanksgiving. Following are 2 for starters:

Psalms 92:1-4 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

:5-6 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

:7-10 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

:11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God

:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

:15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalms 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks giving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

An excellent example of thanksgiving prayer is given in Daniel during the time of the exile of Israel in Babylon, when God had given Daniel the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’ dream:

Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

:20-21 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

S. Supplications

Supplications are those requests that we wish to make to God. We must believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that what we ask for we will receive.

I do not have the space here to put them all. But please open your Bibles to the following Scriptures and read them…These are several examples of how we ought to believe.

Matthew 21:18-22; Luke 11:9-10; John 11:1-45; 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16:24-27; Mark 9:17-29

All our prayers must be according to God’s will. Only those prayers made according as God wills, will be answered.

We must be filled with the knowledge of his will.

Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God

We must have a worthy walk (obedient to the commandments of God) being fruitful (completing our jobs to the point of profit; and bringing others to Christ); increasing in knowledge (studying His Word daily to the point of being able to teach others).

We must have patience and long-suffering; a joyful life; part takers of the inheritance of the Saints in light.

Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness

There this is a saying, “there is safety in numbers”. I’m sure you have heard it. Well, there is another saying that I love: “There is answer to the prayers of many”.

Matthew 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Hebrews 10:23-26 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the know edge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries

Prayers to God will be rewarded for those who are serious about living in His love.

God’s Word is Basic Instructions Before Living Eternally.

We have received God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. In other words God’s undeserved grace.

Another principle of answered prayer is giving which I am not going into in great detail in this chapter. but will cover in detail in another chapter later. This Principle is giving… NOT “tithing”… which is actually unscriptural in this day and time. (See Tithing by L. Ray Smith – www.bibletruths.com).

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

As we give of our time, talent and treasures to our church, or people in need, or whatever, God sees and blesses us. We have, you could say, a leverage on our side, by our giving willfully and cheerfully. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul explained the principle of giving again in:

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (from your need – like using the grocery money for “paying tithes” to the greedy hand of the pastors – instead of buying food for your children – THAT IS NOT WHAT IS MEANT HERE!).): for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

I pray this has been a help and a blessing to you in the wonderful name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.