The Effective Prayer! 3

“So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies–but you have asked for discernment to administer justice.”1 Kings 3:11

If God gives you an open book of prayer requests and a pen to write down all the things that are bothering you, what will you do? How will you respond? Will you ask for selfish gain for your benefit? Or Will you seek the will of God for yourself and others.

In 1 Kings 3, Solomon’s prayer is instrumental in helping us to understand that God looks at the motives of our hearts when we pray. It helps us to see the reasons why we should pray with the purpose of God’s purposes. It also helps us to know that God wants us to be obedient and faithful in our prayers. Solomon did not ask for anything except God’s will for His people.

Your lifestyle and motives behind your prayer request are significant if you want God to answer. You cannot be filled with greediness, anger, bitterness, resentment, or any other kind of emotion, and you expect God to answer when you pray. Instead, you must be filled with faith, love, and compassion when you pray, especially in the area of forgiveness.

Faith and forgiveness are required if you want to observe an effective prayer because faith involves love, while love requires forgiveness. Jesus taught His disciples about the prayer of faith. He reiterated the need for forgiveness. He said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone so that your Father, who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25.

Prayer:
1. I receive the grace to forgive everyone that has hurt me, and my prayers become irresistible.
2. Holy Spirit, help me to pray according to God’s will in Jesus name. Amen!