“Oh Jesus, I come pleading before you today… hear me as I pray to you. Amen.” Sounds like a prayer you’ve probably heard some Christian pray, right? Well, that’s not prayer at all! Not many know how to pray the correct way, yet God told us to pray, not for praying sake, but because He planned to answer. There’re vital rules and elements of prayer that, if and when clearly understood and applied, would make prayer more effective.
One such rule of prayer is praying in the Name of Jesus. Jesus gave us the power of attorney to use His Name, which means when we pray, we’re standing in His place: “… whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). You’re to function in the Name of Jesus, in His place, with His authority, and in His character (Colossians 3:17). When you pray, it carries the same power and authority as though Jesus Himself were the one speaking.
The second important element of prayer is that we pray in the authority of the Word of God, and the revelation and insight given to us by the Word of God. This means our faith must be based on what God’s Word says, because if God’s Word covers whatever we’re praying about, then we can be sure to receive answers, since we’re asking in line with His Word. True faith is only imparted by the Word (Romans 10:17).
The third element is that we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians pray and nothing happens because the words spoken aren’t inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn to pray always by the Holy Spirit; the words have to be energised, communicated, inspired, and anointed by the Holy Ghost. That is what will make the difference!
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege and honour to pray in the Name of Jesus, the glory of praying in the authority of your Word, and the extraordinary benefit of praying in the power of the Spirit. I receive answers when I pray, because the Holy Spirit guides me in prayer; nothing is impossible to me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
