Three Indicators of Great Praying

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The effective prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much (James 5:16b, OGV).

Some saints are more accomplished in praying than others. Since health, finances, peace, victory, relationships, and every aspect of our lives can be helped by prayer, we must pray effectively!

How do we know if our prayer status matches Moses, who parted the Red Sea with a prayer, or is closer to the unrighteous steward who hid his talents for fear of offending God with a mistake (Luke 16:1-8)?

Jesus indicated that we could measure our spirituality by examining the fruit of our obedience (Matthew 7:17-20). Below are three indicators of great praying:

Answered Prayer

Jesus teaches, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). We may debate exactly what “anything” means, but we must agree that it should be something. I’m often confused when I ask a supposedly mature believer (years old in their faith) to share with me two or three answered prayers they’ve experienced recently, and they think, think some more, and can’t tell me anything.

If Jesus tells us to ask for anything, we ought to be asking for everything important to us, and sooner or later (I’ve found mostly sooner) our prayers will hit the heart of God, and answers will fall from heaven.

I’ve had answers recently about financial provision, opportunities to disciple, and some business deals that needed to close. What I’ve found with praying is that sometimes it’s not answered prayer, but the partnering with God through our successful requests that brings excitement.

Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).

More believers struggle with fear today than at any other time in Christendom’s history. It’s a direct result of not experiencing God’s presence while praying. The Apostle Paul says that correct praying will result in a supernatural peace that will guard our souls from anxiety.

I believe in “praying through to peace.” If you have questions, a troubled spirit, doubt, loss, something to do beyond your resources, try taking an hour and saying, “God, first, I’m going to list ten things that I’m grateful about, and then I’m going to cast this anxiety upon You, and I will stay here until I receive peace.”  

If it’s an honest prayer, without beguiling motives, God will give you peace.* Following this plan, I’ve found peace through the presence of God many times.

Prosperity

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2, NASB1995).

When I write that Christians should experience prosperity, I get accused of teaching the “prosperity gospel.” I’m not sure what they mean by this accusation. Should I write about a “poor and weak gospel?” I’m not suggesting that God is a celestial money or blessing machine.

To me, prospering means progress in seeking first the Kingdom of God. It can result in lots of money for those with the gift of business, thousands of souls saved for the evangelists, or a few hundred more readers of Interruptions for the lowly blog writer.

Conclusion

Where do we need prosperity? (The Greek word can also be translated “success.”) What’s destroying our peace? Let’s ask, ask, and keep asking. As James writes … 

You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:2b-3).

Amen, in the name of Jesus.

*Some prayers aren’t immediately answered because the request needs honing with counsel and wisdom,  for other “asks,” the timing isn’t right, or it could be a spiritual warfare matter — but in all three of these areas, do not lose heart, keep praying!