12 Keys to effective prayer for believers in Jesus Christ

#4 Decide what you want to ask for & find Scriptures to back up your request.

When you have solid, relevant Scriptures to back up your request, you have a reason to have faith in God for what you are asking for. There are some things that the Bible asks us to ask God for. There are also some things that may be on your heart - requests for yourself, your family, and others. The obvious requests come to mind salvation, healing, provision, deliverance, and protection. There are promises in God's Word for all of those, and you need to know them. You also need to know just how simple it is to qualify to claim all of those things where they are promised. When you really get a vision of just how real Heaven and Hell are, and how long they last, and just how much God loves all of us, then you begin to understand God's heart, and you pray accordingly.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest." -- Matthew 9:36-38

"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you." -- John 15:7

"In that day you will ask me no questions. Most assuredly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." -- John 16:23-24

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 18He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. -- James 1:5-8

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:2

If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, who 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. -- 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. -- 1 Peter 2:21-24

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. -- Hebrews 13:8

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. -- 3 John 2

Trust in Yahweh, and do good.
    Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
Also delight yourself in Yahweh,
    And he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to Yahweh.
    Trust also in him, and he will do this
He will make your righteousness go forth as the light,
    And your justice as the noon day sun. -- Psalm 37:3-6

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. -- Ephesians 6:17-20

Please pray for your pastor, for your Bible teachers, for me, and for all who spread the Gospel just as Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him.

"When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. Pray like this 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you." -- Matthew 6:5-18

Scriptures quoted above are from the World English Bible (http//eBible.org/bible/web/).

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