10 Steps To Effective Prayer (Part Two).


 
This post is continued from “10 Steps To Effective Prayer (Part One)” covering steps 1 to 5.

STEP 6. PETITION

Matthew 7:7 says Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

NOTE: Here, Jesus is telling you to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus is assuring you that you will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you.

STEP 7. GIVE THANKS

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

NOTE: Your joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with your circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands...be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks...often goes against your natural inclination. But, when you make a conscious decision to do what God says, you will begin to see people in a new perspective. When you do God's will, you will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.

STEP 8. MEDITATE

Joshua 1:8 says Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

NOTE: Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He said that to succeed, Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God's laws, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law...God's Word. If you want to be successful, follow God's Word. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes...and His opinion lasts forever.

STEP 9. WAIT AND LISTEN

Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Ecclesiastes 5:2 says Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

NOTE: War, destruction, and calamities are inevitable, but so is God's final victory. At that time, we will all stand quietly before the Lord Almighty. How proper, then, for you to be still now, reverently honoring Him and His power and Majesty. Take time each day to be still and to exalt God. Prayer is a two-way communication. First, you pray. Then, you listen. Don't just pray and then begin doing other things and not give God any time to answer you.

STEP 10. PRAISE

Psalm 52:9 says I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

NOTE: Finish your prayer with Praise by repeating Step 1. Then, frequently give God Praise by telling others about all the good things God has done for you.

FINAL NOTE: These “10 Steps To Effective Prayer” only apply to those persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God is not obligated to answer any prayers from a person who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God may answer their prayers but He is not obligated to do so.

End Of Post (Part Two)