Prayer, advice for effective

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Scripture provides guidance concerning what attitudes and actions are appropriate for effective prayer. It also identifies a number of motives which are likely to lead to prayers being unanswered.

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Hindrances to prayer

Sin

Isaiah 59:2 KJV 1900

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

See also Ps 66:18; Je 14:10–12; La 3:42–44; Mic 3:4

Disobedience

Zechariah 7:13 KJV 1900

Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; So they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:

Selfishness

James 4:3 KJV 1900

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Injustice

Isaiah 1:15–17 KJV 1900

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: Your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Lack of faith

James 1:6–7 KJV 1900

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Qualities that lead to effective prayer

Humility

Luke 18:9–14 KJV 1900

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

See also 2 Sa 7:18; 2 Ch 7:14; Ps 51:16–17; Is 57:15; Mt 8:8

Obedience

1 John 3:21–22 KJV 1900

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Righteousness

Proverbs 15:29 KJV 1900

The Lord is far from the wicked: But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Single-mindedness

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV 1900

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Faith

Matthew 21:21–22 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.