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The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

The Picture shows hands clasped in prayer with flowers in the background

The Principles of Prayer is a Bible study series available on this blog. It teaches various principles of prayer, beginning with the definition of prayer concluding with instructions on how to pray more effectively. Below are the links to the different parts of this in the order they were originally meant to be studied. However, you are free to study these lessons on prayer in any order. If you wish to study this offline, click here to buy the Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices.

  1. What is Prayer
  2.  The Call to Prayer
  3. Types of Prayer
  4. Examples of Prayer
  5. Righteousness and Prayer
  6. Jesus’ Teachings on Sincere Prayer
  7. Exploring the Spiritual Teachings of the Lord’s Prayer
  8. A Guide to Prayer
  9. Hindrances to Prayer
  10. Corporate Prayer
  11. Faith and Prayer
  12. Prayer and Fasting
  13. Praying the Word of God

 

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Overcoming Hindrances to Prayer: Key Insights

Hinder (meaning)

  • To Impede the progress of 
  • To Hold back
  • To Obstruct or Block

9 Hindrances to Prayer

  1. We ask amiss
    1. James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
    2. Amiss (meaning)
      1. Wrongly
      2. astray (off the right path or route)
      3. Imperfectly
      4. out of place
    3. Amiss (in Greek)
      1. Amiss (G2560) kakōs- Adverb form from G2556, badly (physically or morally):—amiss, diseased, evil, grievously, miserably, sick, sore.
    4. Key Truth “Pray the Word”
      1. Nehemiah 1:8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
  2. Unforgiveness
    1. 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 before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
    2. The Parable of the unforgiving servant
      1. Matthew 18:21-35
    3. Key Truth “Walk in Forgiveness”
      1. Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
  3. Pride
    1. Psalm 138:6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
    2. Proud: H1364gāḇōha
      1. (fully) from H1361; elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant:—haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, × exceeding proudly.
    3. 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.
      1. Boldly does not mean demanding with an attitude of pride and arrogance. 
    4. Key Truth “Pray with Humility”
      1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 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.
  4. Sin and Iniquity
    1. Isaiah 59:1-4 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. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
    2. Key Truth “Confession”
      1. 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.
      2. 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.
  5. Bitterness
    1. Hebrews 12:12-15 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
    2. Bitterness:
      1. Poison
      2. Corrosive
      3. Sharp and bitter in taste and odor
    3. Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
    4. Key Truth “Guard Your Heart”
      1. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
  6. Unbelief
    1. James 1:5-8 if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
    2. Key Truth “Let Jesus Hear and See your faith”
      1. Mark 2:2-5  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
      2. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
  7. Improper Relationships
    1. 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
      1. Honour (G5092) a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:—honour, precious, price, some.
      2. Hindered (G1581) from G1537 and G2875; to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate:—cut down (off, out), hew down, hinder.
    2. Key Truth “Maintain Proper Relationships”
  8. Uncontrolled and Undisciplined Thoughts
    1. Romans 12:2 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.
    2. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
    3. Key Truth “Think on these Things…”
      1. Philippians 4:8 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 on these things. 
      2. Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
  9. We give up too Easy
    1. The Woman with the flow of blood
      1. Mark 5:24-34
    2. The Parable of the Persistent Widow
      1. Luke 18:1-8
    3. Key Truth “Trust in God’s Timing”
      1. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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Praying with Confidence: God’s Promises

The Integrity of God’s Word
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. He said, “And won’t he?” He spoke, and he won’t execute it?
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, who has given peace to his people Israel, according to all that he has said; not a word of all his promises that he expressed through Moses his servant has failed.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are in him Yes, and in him Amen, through us, to the glory of God.
Why pray the Word?

  • Jeremiah 1:12 And the LORD said unto me, Thou hast seen well; for I hasten my word to do it.
    2 Chronicles 19:9 And he commanded them, saying, Ye shall also do in the fear of the Lord, with truth, and with an upright heart.
    Loyal Heart, Perfect Ear, Full Heart, Committed Heart, (Peaceful Without Strife)
  • Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the Lord, and do good; And you shall dwell in the earth, and feed on the truth. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he will grant you the desires of your heart.
    John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
  • Words (Rhema): Speak A word spoken by a living voice
  • 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have made to him.
  • Pray the Answer: Don’t Focus on the Problem, but on God’s Solution
    • Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.10 For as rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return thither, but water the earth, and cause it to sprout and bring forth, and give seed to the one who sows, and bread to him that eateth, 11 so shall my word be that proceedeth out of my mouth; it will not return to me void, but will do what I will, and if will prosper in that for which I sent it.
    • Identify God’s Will
      • Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus came down from the mountain, many people followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came and fell down before him, saying, Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. 3 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; Be clean. And instantly his leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Look, don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
  • Examples of How to Pray the Answer
    • Finance
      • Philippians 4:19 “Supplying all my needs”
      • Luke 6:38 “As I give, it will be given to me”
      • Matthew 6:33″Putting God first, all things were added to me”
      • Psalm 37:25 “I Will Not Have to Beg for Bread”
      • Psalm 34:10 “No good shall be wanting”
    • Healing
      • Isaiah 53:5 “By His Stripes We Are Healed”
      • 1 Peter 2:24″By whose stripes we are healed”
      • Psalm 107:20 “He sent his word and healed”
      • Exodus 15:26″For I am the Lord who heals you”
      • James 5:14-15 “The Prayer of Faith Will Save the Sick”
    • Guidance
      • Psalm 32:8 “I will guide with my eye”
      • Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you continually”
      • John 16:13 “The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You”
      • Psalm 37:23 “My steps are commanded by the Lord”
      • Psalm 119:105 “A Lamp to My Feet and Light to My Path”
    • Fear
      • Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear”
      • Joshua 1:9 “I will not be afflicted or faint, for the Lord my God is with me”
      • Romans 8:31 “If God is for me, who can be against me?”
      • 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.”
    • Peace
      • Isaiah 26:3 “Keep Me in Perfect Peace”
      • Philippians 4:7 “The peace of God will guard my heart and mind”
      • Psalm 119:165 “Those who love your word have much peace”
      • John 14:27 “Jesus left his peace with me, so my heart will not be troubled”

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The Link Between Righteousness and Effective Prayer

What Does Righteousness Have to Do with Prayer?

 Proverbs 15:29

 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

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.

  •  Righteousness is the key to effective prayer.
    • Psalm 66:18-20: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
      • Iniquity (meaning)
        • gross injustice : wickedness
        • a wicked act or thing : sin
  • The Great Transfer
    • Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
      • No one is righteous.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
      • Righteousness:
        • Equity of character
        • Justification
        • “Right standing with God”
          • God made Jesus to know sin so that we could be reconciled to Him. He will hear us only if we come to him and repent of all our sins.
  • Clean Heart and Confession
    • Psalm 51:5-17 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
    • 2 Chronicles 7:14 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.
      • Humble yourself
      • Turn from sin
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Confess your sins. Then come to him with your cares, wants, needs, desires, heartaches, etc.

The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

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Understanding 4 Types of Prayer

4 Types of Prayer

Prayers: General communication between God and man

  • To pray to God
  • Worship
  • Includes waiting before God in silence, seeking His face, calling upon His Name

1 Timothy 2:1-4: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

3 Reasons to Pray

  1. For a peaceful life
  2. It is good and acceptable to God
  3. It helps to bring others to salvation

4 Types of Prayer:

  • Supplications
    • Supplication
      • to beseech
      • to beg
      • to plead
      • to make a petition or request
      • to appeal to God
    • Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
  • Intercession
    • intercession:
      • To speak or argue in favor of a person or cause before God
      • To stand in the gap
    • Exodus 32:10-12 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evil against thy people.
      • Moses stood between God and the Israelites. He could have allowed them to perish in their sins, but he chose to intervene. Moses, driven by compassion, chose to intercede.
    • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
    • Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
  • Thanksgiving
    • Thanksgiving:
      • Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
      • Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
  • In the Spirit
    • Praying in the Holy Spirit
      • Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
      • Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
      • Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
      • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

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The Power of Prayer in 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Call to Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14: 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.

The Godly Shall Pray

  • Psalm 32:6 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.
  • Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
    • There is a time when the Lord will not answer. The Godly are told to pray while he may be found.

Pray without ceasing

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
    • Uninterruptedly, without omission (something neglected or left undone), without ceasing
    • This means praying throughout the day every day.
  • Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
    • The Woman in the parable did not give up. She come every day.
    • Jesus is asking will he find such faith. Will the people still be coming to him every day throughout the day?
  • Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
    • Again, we are commanded to always be in prayer.

Prayer for all Things

  • 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.
    • We are told not to worry. Instead take our needs to God in Prayer.
    • Pray about everything. God is not too busy to hear about all our worries, concerns, and needs.

Praying for Needs

  • James 5:13-18 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 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. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
    • Physicals needs are to be Prayed about.

Continue in Prayer

  • Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

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How to Communicate with God through Prayer

What is Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14

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.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

    James 4:7-10

Prayer: (Webster’s Dictionary):

  • an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought
  • a set order of words used in praying
  • an earnest request or wish
  • the act or practice of praying to God or a god
  • a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
  • something prayed for
  • a slight chance


In Hebrew:

  • palal: To pray, to intercede, to judge
  • Original Word: פָּלַל
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • Transliteration: palal
  • Pronunciation: pah-LAHL
  • Phonetic Spelling: (paw-lal’)
  • Definition: To pray, to intercede, to judge
  • Meaning: to judge, to intercede, pray

Prayer is communicating with God.

Communication: (Webster’s Dictionary):

  • a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior
  • exchange of information
  • information communicated : information transmitted or conveyed
  • a verbal or written message


Prayer Involves:

  1. Speaking
    • Psalm 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
    • You must speak for God to be able to hear.
  2. Listening
    • 1 Samuel 3:9-10 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
    • John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
    • You must listen to hear God
    • John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
    • You must listen in order to learn. 
  3. Seeing
    • Habakkuk 2:1-3 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
    • Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
    • Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
    • Sometimes God speaks by showing you dreams or visions. 
    • Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 
    • God says to watch and pray. Watching normally involves sight. 
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

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The Power of Prayer and Fasting: A Biblical Perspective

Prayer and Fasting
  1. The Combination of Praying and Fasting
    • Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
      • Fasting:
        • Abstinence (Voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from easting some foods)
        • To abstain from food
        • Hebrew word for fasting means to cover over one’s mouth
    • Examples of Fasting in the Word
      • Ezra 8:21-23 “Prayer and fasting for protection”
      • Nehemiah 1:4 “Prayer and fasting over the condition and restoration process”
      • Esther 4:16 “Prayer and fasting for guidance and deliverance”
      • Psalms 35:13 “Prayer and fasting for healing”
      • Daniel 9:2-3 “Prayer and fasting for fulfillment of the promise”
      • Luke 2:36-38 “Prayer and fasting as a lifestyle”
      • Acts 13:2-3 “Prayer and fasting for direction”
      • Acts 14:23 “Prayer and fasting for the appointment of leadership”
  2. What Fasting is and is not
    • Fasting is not twisting the arm of God to force Him to move on our behalf.
    • It is not a diet.
    • Fasting is:
      • Putting the flesh under submission
      • Focusing on the supernatural and not the natural
      • Focusing on the will of the Father and not the will of the flesh
      • A time to feed upon the Word of God and not natural food
      • A specified time set apart to seek God through prayer and the Word
    • Matthew 4:1-4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
    • John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
    • Isaiah 58:1-14 “God’s Chosen Fast”
      • To loose the bonds of wickedness
      • To undo heavy burdens
      • To let the oppressed go free
      • To break every yoke
      • To share your bread with the hungry
      • To bring the poor to your house
      • To clothe the naked
      • Not hiding yourself from those in need
    • Fasting focuses on the plan, will, and purpose of the Father.
    • Fasting is not focusing on the problem.
    • Matthew 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face, That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

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Praying with Faith: Tips for Strengthened Trust

 
  1. Faith is…
    • Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
    • Faith (pistis)
      • from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
      • Faith is the substance (to set under) things hoped for.
        • assurance
        • guarantee
        • certainty
      • The evidence of things not seen.
        • Proof
        • Faith itself is the guarantee; the objective assurance that the goods promised by God not presently seen but vouchsafed (to grant or furnish) by Him, will indeed be delivered.
  2. Without faith it is impossible to please him
    • Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
      • Rewarder (Strong’s G3406 – misthapodotēs)
        • from G3409 and G591; a remunerator[1]:—rewarder.
        • remunerator – compensation, payment
      • Diligently (Strong’s G1567 – ekzēteō)
        •  from G1537 and G2212; to search out, i.e. (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by Hebraism) worship:—en- (re-)quire, seek after (carefully, diligently).
    • Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
    • 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
  3. In Prayer We must ask in Faith
    • James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
    • Asking in Faith
      • Believing in God
    • Not Doubting (not wavering). This is…
      • Uncertainty if God can really do it
      • not confident in His ability
      • Lack of trust in His Word and who He is
  4. We must receive by faith
    • Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
    • Believe (Strong’s G4100 – pisteuō)
      •  from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
    • Revieve (G2983 – lambanō)
      • to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of
  5. Praying the prayer of faith
    • James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
      1. Learn the promise of God found in His Word for your situation.
      2. When you are convinced, not just in your head but in your heart, that the promise is true for you, speak the Word.
      3. When thoughts come to make you doubt, confess the promise and thank God that it is done.
      4. Stand and it will come to pass.
    • 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
    • Daniel 10:1-13
 

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Why Togetherness in Prayer Matters

Corporate Prayer

Corporate prayer: A unified body of individuals gathered together to communicate with God. 

Luke 9:18

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

  • Prayer Alone
    • 2 Chronicles 7:14 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.
  • Praying together
    • The Power of Agreement
      • Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything 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.
      • Agree
        • To be harmonious
        • to accord (to be in agreement, to be consistent or in harmony)
        • Agree together
      • Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
      • Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
    • Established by two
      • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
      • Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
      • Genesis 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
    • The power of unity
      • Genesis 11:1-9 “The Tower of Babel”
        • Genesis 11:6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
      • Acts 2:1-4 “The Day of Pentecost”
        • Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
          • One accord: one mind
    • Examples of Corporate prayer
      • Esther 3:1-15 “Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jews”
        • Esther 3:13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
      • Esther 4:1-17 “Mordecai asks Esther to go before the King”
        • Esther 4:15-17  Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
        • Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
        • Esther 8:1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
        • There is great power in united or corporate prayer and fasting
        • The goal of united prayer is to seek the Lord for His help and direction concerning a particular situation. 
      • 2 Chronicles 20:1-25 “Jehoshaphat’s battle against Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir”
        • 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
        • 2 Chronicles 20:15-18 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
      • Acts 12:1-19 “Peter freed from prison”
        • Acts 12:11-13 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
          • The Power of Corporate prayer is not a group of people praying, but a group praying for the same goal and purpose.

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