Reminders of Simple Prayer Truths
By Barbara Ho
I had invited my Sunday school class and their families over for a BBQ/pool party on a Sunday. As the week progressed, the weather forecasts looked worse and worse. The thought of 30 people crammed into our house on a rainy day was not pleasant.
This happened while I was writing this article about the basics of prayer. As I worried about the situation, God spoke to me: “Why not live out the words you’re writing?”
“OK, Lord,” I said, and I prayed this simple prayer: “Lord, please keep the rain away on Sunday.” You guessed it. Not a drop of rain. Not even a cloud in the sky. God answered my prayers and the outdoor gathering blessed our guests through the joy of relationships.
Are You Effective?
In James 5:16, God makes this great promise: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” But what is effective prayer? And what would you say if I asked you whether your prayers are effective? How do you even measure whether your prayers are serving their purpose?
The truth is, prayer doesn’t make a difference; it makes the difference. It impacts not just our relationship with God but also the world we live in.
With that in mind, why do so many Christians struggle with prayer? It’s often on the top of our to-do list, yet on the bottom of things we successfully accomplish. Why is that?
One way we limit our prayer life is by complicating it. We tend to overthink it. But we don’t have to be Bible scholars to understand prayer. God intends every person to have a vibrant intimate relationship with Him—and prayer is a major part of that.
Basic Truths to Pray By
The following are some basic truths that have helped me pray in confidence. When I pray according to these truths, I know my prayers are effective and powerful.
1. Effective prayer rises out of the make-it or break-it question, Who is God? An effective, transforming prayer life is not so much based on how we pray or our position in prayer—or even the words we use. It’s based on our understanding of the One we’re praying to.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” We will not pray in faith to a God we do not believe is capable. It’s that simple. Either we believe Him to be the God described in the Bible or we don’t. And the depth of our prayer lives will reflect that belief. It is foundational.
Do you believe Him to be the all-knowing, all-powerful, Creator God? Or is He just a limited being who is sometimes dependable but often not. Is He able when you’re not? Can He use you—with all your imperfections and limitations? Can He, when you can’t? Is He, when you’re not? Does He not only exist, but will He reward you when you “earnestly seek Him”?
Our answer is more than important—it’s essential. We pray out of our belief and understanding of who we know God to be.
This deep-rooted belief is the solid-rock foundation. Our prayer lives are built on it.
2. Effective prayer expresses our thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires to God. We find this truth in a story in Mark 10:46–52. One day as Jesus entered the city of Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus called out to Him.
Jesus’ disciples brought the man to Him, and Jesus asked Bartimaeus an interesting question: “What do you want me to do for you?”
Wasn’t that obvious? But Jesus told him to verbalize his request.
“Rabbi,” he said, “I want to see.” And the Bible says Jesus then healed him.
The apostle James later wrote, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). How many of our prayers have gone unanswered because they were never really asked? But doesn’t God know what we need, what our thoughts are, and how we feel? Why do we need to tell Him things He already knows?
There’s something freeing about putting into words the thoughts and feelings in our minds and hearts, expressing them to God. When we verbalize our thoughts and concerns to the Lord, several things happen.
- Speaking out to God draws our focus to Him. When we say out loud what is in our hearts, we’re more likely to look to Him for the answers. Our eyes shift from our problems and challenges to the Lord, who can solve them. This shift can bring peace and calm, not to mention answers to prayer.
- Speaking out to God deepens our relationship with Him. I’ve been married more than 35 years, and I’m thankful that, even though my husband usually knows how I feel and what my thoughts are, I can share them freely. I know he’s always there to listen and give me needed support. The same is true in our relationship with the Lord. God longs for an intimate relationship with us. He created us for that. Not only can we bring our concerns to Him, but we can also share our thoughts and deepest feelings. And we can be sure He never gets tired of hearing from us. He’s always there to listen.
- Speaking out to God also opens the door to faith. It takes faith to express a need. I would never request something of someone I didn’t believe could help me. I wouldn’t walk up to people on the street and tell them of a financial need of mine. Why would I waste my time? Lifting our requests to the Lord confirms our need for His intervention. It takes faith to speak it out.
3. Effective prayer is listening to, and hearing from, God. I was recently reminded of how often Jesus spoke with God while He was on earth. It was typical of a son conversing with his father. The Holy Spirit brought to my mind the reality of John 17:23: “Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Can you imagine that? Our heavenly Father loves us as much as He does His Son Jesus. And the way Jesus conversed with His Father is the very way we can and should talk with Him. After all, He is our heavenly Father.
Do you hear from God? I don’t mean in a general way, but in a personal, intimate way?
Do you want to hear from Him more? He longs to speak to you.
In more ways than I can write, I’ve heard God speak through His Word, through a still small voice, and through others. And I’ve learned that it’s important to listen and then receive by faith the truths God is telling me. It’s like learning to play an instrument. The more we practice, the more our skills improve. The same is true when hearing and listening to the Lord; the more we learn to listen, the more we will recognize His voice. It just takes practice.
4. Effective prayer includes speaking the Word of God in prayer. It’s like reminding God of His promises. No, God never forgets—but we do.
If I’m facing a difficult situation, I may speak out Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I’ll thank God that not only will He get me through this difficulty, but He will also work it for good in my life. I trust Him to turn this hardship into an actual blessing.
Or when I’m interceding for someone, I’ll stand on a passage from the Bible that relates to that person’s situation. Does that person need comfort? Our God is “the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).
Is someone struggling with guilt—often praying for forgiveness? I may speak out Hebrews 10:22, which reminds us to “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.”
God’s Word is true. Do we know God’s Word well enough to speak it out as we pray? If we’re ignorant of the truths and teachings of the Bible, we will be limited in our prayer life. The Word of God brings wisdom into our prayers. It directs us how to pray. It reveals the truth about the One we’re praying to.
It Matters
Simply put, our prayers can—and should—be powerful and effective. We should not hesitate to ask God—whether we’re praying for a sick friend, asking Him to meet a financial need, or keeping the rain away from a BBQ/pool party. If it matters to you, it matters to God. When we pray, He breathes life into whatever we’re facing.
BARBARA HO and her husband Dan minister in a church in Houston, TX, and are active in missions work in Ukraine. She is the author of Ultimate Connection, available at prayershop.org.
Mentoring in the Basics
By Carol Madison
A few years ago, after viewing the movie War Room (which featured an older woman mentoring a younger woman in prayer), I felt convicted. What was I doing to pass on a legacy of prayer? I told the Lord I was open to what that might look like, then had a thought: six women for six months. I noted the idea as perhaps being from the Lord—and waited on Him.
A couple weeks later, I walked through the foyer of my church and greeted two younger women. One of them said, “Carol, we were just talking about you. We were wondering if you would mentor us.”
That was my cue! Within a few weeks, we arranged for six women to be a part of a prayer-mentoring group for six months. I am now mentoring my fourth group—a total of 24 women in my church who have learned some principles of prayer based on my personal experiences and training over the years.
Here are some of the basic topics we cover:
- Prayer personalities: Not everyone prays the same way. How has God wired you?
- Praying Scripture: The Bible is our go-to prayer book.
- Contending in prayer: Jesus instructs us to persevere in prayer (Luke 18:1–8). But there are also times when we must “contend” with urgency and fervency.
- The power of fasting: Why do we fast? What are some biblical examples?
- Paul’s prayer life: The importance of thankfulness, love, warfare, and other prayer principles.
- Listening prayer: How do we quiet ourselves to hear God’s voice—especially through His Word?
- Prayer life of Jesus: He is, after all, the greatest Intercessor ever!
- Obedience in prayer: Learning to pray bold prayers and being willing to obey as God leads.
If you take on the challenge of mentoring others in prayer, consider some of the basics you’ve learned that have been helpful to you. Ask the Lord to remind you of stories illustrating ways He has directed and answered your prayers. Others will find tremendous encouragement in the ways God has worked in your own prayer life—if you just share it!
CAROL MADISON is editor of Prayer Connect.
