Principles for More Powerful Prayers

Part 1

As 2022 begins, perhaps you, like so many others, have been reviewing the events of the past year and praying that this year will bring brighter days. I certainly have! But at the same time, I wondered, how can any of us be sure God is listening to our prayers? And more importantly, how can we pray powerful prayers that receive an answer?

As I pondered these two questions, I sought out what experts had to say and I read several books on prayer, some of which were helpful. (I listed one of my favorites below). However, I quickly realized that the ultimate guide to strengthening prayer is the Bible itself, the living Word of God.  In the paragraphs that follow, I will share the thoughts I scratched down as I studied some of the best examples of prayer warriors in the Bible—Abraham, Daniel, Esther, David, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Powerful Prayer begins with the right attitude. What is an attitude? The online dictionary describes it as “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.” When we go to God in prayer, the state of mind we reflect in our behavior as we approach Him matters. The Israelites were instructed to prepare themselves as Moses sanctified them, and to wash their clothes, and on the third day they could meet with God at the base of Mount Sinai. (Genesis 19:10). Even the priests who prepared to meet with God in the tabernacle had a ritual of preparation required of them that involved sacrifice, cleansing, anointing, and special attire. (Exodus 29) This meticulous preparation is needed to ready our carnal minds for meeting with our Holy and Righteous God, for we are unholy and we need cleansing from sin—I am unholy, and you are unholy; ALL of us are unholy and need cleansing. In fact, who are WE to hold an audience with God Most High? It is astounding, in fact, to consider that the Creator of the Universe desires to meet with us! What’s more, He desires to not just meet with us, but rather, to walk with us daily! Who can fathom the depths of His love for us? It is a small thing to honor Him by preparing myself to come into His presence, but it is not easy. While I can scarcely comprehend the unlimited majesty of God, I can also scarcely comprehend the extent of my sin, and what it must cost God to look on me, or you, sinners that we are, and see us not  as sinners, but to see Christ in us, the One who has overcome sin and death for our sakes. Remembering my status is crucial for me to approach God with the right attitude. To quote one of my favorite Gaither songs, “I’m just an old sinner saved by grace.” (read the great story behind this song by Bill and Gloria Gaither here https://gaither.com/sinner-saved-by-grace-the-story-behind-the-song/) So, we prepare our hearts by admitting who we are, sinners saved by grace, and what we need, an audience with the Most High, and in this way, we prepare our hearts to meet with the Holy One.

The Bible teaches that once we come to Him with the right attitude, God will hear us and act on our behalf. In fact, God inspired the scribe Ezra to record the following verse, which many of you may know by heart: ^“ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14). What a promise this is, but how many of us humble ourselves before we pray. I certainly need to seek God’s face in humility, but when I was re-reading this verse, I read the next verse as well and it was like an arrow piercing my heart: “Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:15) God is saying here that if you and I approach Him in humble repentance, turning away from our wickedness when we pray, then He will not only hear, forgive, and heal us, but He will also be attentive to our prayers! It begins with the right attitude, or state of mind, which is reflected in our behavior as we approach the throne of God.

One of my favorite books on prayer is Anne Graham Lotz’s book, Storming the Gates of Heaven: Prayer that Claims the Promises of God