How to Make Your Prayers Effective

Whatever we do, we do not want to do it in vain; that also applies to praying. We want our prayers to reach God and be effective. The good thing is that if we are in Christ, we are covered by His blood and justified in God’s eyes. We receive adoption into God’s family. Because of that, our prayer reaches God and becomes effective.

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.

[James 5:16]

If you are a Christian and want to make your prayers effective, you don’t need to do anything but remember what Christ has done for you on the cross. Being justified and credited with His righteousness has already made your prayers effective. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous person works, and you are righteous because of the blood of Christ.

If you are not a Christian, the only way to make your prayers effective is to be in Christ. You shall always be separated from God eternally unless you are in Christ. Christ is the only way to the Father. The response that you can have is in understanding the Gospel, repenting from your life of sin, and believing in the person and work of Christ.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

[Isaiah 59:1-2]

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[John 14:6]

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

[Ephesians 2:14-16]

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

[Colossians 3:1-4]

The Bible calls those in Christ to be hidden in Christ. Whenever God looks at us, God sees the perfection of Christ because we are hidden in Him. Whenever we pray to God, our confidence is the righteousness of Christ that’s given to those who believe in His finished work. In Christ, we have the same righteousness that He has; that is why our prayers reach God and are effective. Jesus said that He is the only way to the Father. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

What are some important guidelines when praying?

Through the examples of several different people whose prayers have been recorded, the Bible provides us with several guidelines for praying. One example is our Lord Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples how to pray.

Jesus taught us how to pray by first worshiping God in our prayer and praying for God’s will to be done in every aspect or area of life. We are also to ask God for provision, be sorry for our sins, forgive those who have wronged us, and pray to God for grace to keep us from sin as we pursue a holy life. 

The Bible also teaches us that when we pray and ask according to His will, we will have the confidence that God hears and answers us. Praying according to God’s will requires us to have a renewed mind. If a person thinks by the word of God, he or she shall also pray by the word of God. The Holy Spirit works in us to have a renewed mind. However, we have a part to play—we always need to read and meditate on God’s Word.

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. And he said unto them, 

When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

[Luke 11:1-4]

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

[1 John 5:14-15]

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

[Romans 12:2]

Heavenly Father, You are merciful, gracious, and abounding in steadfast love. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for me on the cross. He imputed His righteousness upon me, and I am considered righteous in Your eyes. Thank You because my prayers reach You in Christ, are practical, and have power. I can always come before Your presence because I have received adoption as Your child in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

[Psalm 147:5]

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

[Matthew 7:9-11]

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

[Romans 8:28]

In Christ, we are confident that our prayers are heard by God and are effective because of the perfect and sinless life that He lived. The effectiveness of our prayers points to the effectiveness of the Gospel, which didn’t just make our prayers effective but also made us justified and forgiven in the sight of God.