1.
Pray
more. The average Christian spends a very limited amount of
time in prayer. We often reserve prayer for emergency use only. How much time
would you estimate you spent in prayer yesterday? How much time last week? More
Daniels are needed today (Daniel 6:10).
2.
Be more
specific in prayer. Prayers are often far too general, too vague.
More praying should be done for specific people, specific needs. Prayer should
be fitted to the occasion and need. Too often our prayers are like that of the
young boy when he and a friend found themselves in the pathway of what appeared
to be sure disaster with no way of escape. One of the boys prayed the only
prayer he had ever heard his father pray, and before meals. He said, “God, make
us thankful for what we are about to receive!” It may be that our prayers are
often no more appropriate for the occasion.
3.
Pray
with greater faith. James said that weak faith and futile prayers are
connected (1:6). Doubts and uncertainties hinder prayer. The source for a
greater faith is God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).
4.
Rise
above the sin of covetousness. A covetous spirit hinders
prayer (Jam. 4:2). Selfish hearts do not gain the ear of God. A loving and
giving God is seeking to bless those with generous spirits.
5.
Pray
with greater zeal and fervency. Another important ingredient
of acceptable prayer is enthusiasm and fervency (Jam. 5:16). Prayers coming
only from the lips, and not from the hearts, are hollow and empty. The
Pharisees of Jesus’ day prayed such prayers (Matt. 23).
6.
Grow
more godly. The more righteous we become, the prayer accomplishes
(Jam. 5:!6; 1 Pet. 3:12). Elijah success in prayer was directly related to his
righteousness in life. The rebellious spirit and the unrepented sins will
always hinder our prayers (Prov. 1:28; Isa. 59:2).
7.
Improve
martial relationships. Peter tells us that relationships between
husbands and wives either help or hinder our prayers (1 Pet. 3:7). When
relationships break down between marriage partners our relationship with God is
affected.
8.
Grow in
humility. The first beatitude in the Sermon on the mount was on
humility (Matt. 5:3). The proud heart is rejected by God (Jam. 4:6). The
Pharisee’s prayer was rejected because of pride (Luk. 18).
9.
Cultivate
a forgiving spirit. Jesus declared that we cannot expect forgiveness
from God if we refuse to forgive our fellowman (Matt. 6:12).
10. Persist in prayer. Jesus taught two
parables regarding the importance of persistence in prayer (Luk. 11:18). In
each instance, perseverance was a key ingredient to success.
11.
Combine
action with prayers. Pray as if everything depended on God. Then work
as if everything depends on you. Somewhere, I read about a farmer with this
sign on his farm: “Pray for a good harvest, but keep on plowing.”
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