3 Ways to Empower Your Prayers

When we think about “asking the right way” or “living the right way,” it can be easy to reduce such things to a system of religion. This is what the Pharisees and Sadducees did.

Asking the right way was seen to be nothing more than using the correct phrases and terms; living the right way was about adhering as closely to the law as possible.

Yet in their desire to follow the system they had created, they failed to have a heart drawn in love with their Lord. As the old saying goes, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

As Christian people, we are to be connected to God with a heart of devotion, service, and praise. Behind every prayer is a spirit that says, “Here I am. I receive your will and purpose.”

Prayer doesn’t pull God close to us; prayer pulls us to God. All prayer, therefore, is to be a longing for a deeper experience of Christ’s Lordship. This is how Paul can write that we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Rather than describing an endless shopping list presented to God, Paul highlights a heart constantly reaching out for Jesus. The surest way to have our prayers empowered by the Spirit is to have our hearts enflamed with the Spirit’s presence. We live our lives prayerfully.

There is nothing that delights God more than being able to flow through our petitions. Of course, asking the right way, living the right way, and having a heart directed to Jesus, don’t ensure that God will grant every single petition.

Every Christian will have to wrestle with unanswered prayer. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. And, despite our best efforts and sincere faith, our prayers are never the magic wand that makes life adhere to our wishes.

But this doesn’t mean we can’t pray. In fact, we are called to be bold in our prayers. God is the one who hears us and answers us before we call (Isaiah 65:24).

Furthermore, unyielding grace surrounds our prayers. There is no need, passion, or desire that we cannot lift to God in prayer.

So, pray faithfully and biblically, but pray boldly. You may just find yourself experiencing the Spirit’s power in a magnificent way.

For further reading:

4 Reasons Why Prayer Time Is Unique to Christians

What Is Prayer? Why Do We Pray?

5 Tools for Growing Your Prayer Life

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/MangoStar_Studio

The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada.  He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others.  He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca.  He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.

This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

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