Understanding the Purpose and Power of PrayerSýnishorn

(Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture verses are taken from the New International Version.)

Does Prayer Really Work?

Prayer is a lonely experience for many of us. Although we have been taught that it is important to pray, we have been so disappointed and frustrated that our prayers haven’t been answered, we’ve almost given up on it. We may pray when we are scared or sick, but it’s not a regular practice in our lives. Outwardly, we agree that prayer is worthwhile, but secretly we wonder:

Does God really hear me when I pray?

Why does it seem as if my prayers just hit the ceiling and bounce back at me?

Is God mad at me? Is that why He doesn’t answer me?

Why is prayer so boring and fruitless for me?

Shouldn’t I expect my prayers to be answered?

The greatest difficulty in most believers’ experience is their prayer lives. Even though they believe prayer is a foundational element of the Christian life, they shy away from it because they don’t really think it will make a difference. They don’t pray because it hasn’t seemed to work for them in the past, and they don’t like failure. 

For many who do pray, the practice of prayer is merely a religious exercise, one that isn’t concerned with obtaining results. Some believers have come to the conclusion—consciously or subconsciously—that prayer isn’t very important to everyday life. 

Even believers who pray regularly with conviction and obtain some results have doubts about certain aspects of prayer: what they are supposed to ask for, how long they should continue praying for something, and similar questions concerning the nature of prayer. 

Consequences of Unanswered Prayer

When our prayers seem to go unanswered, the spiritual and emotional pain can be deep and devastating. It can lead to sorrow, despair, bitterness, and rebellion. It can undermine the foundation of our faith and lead to these results:

• We feel abandoned and isolated from God, imagining that He doesn’t care about our problems. 
• We question God’s character and integrity. 
• We feel as if our lives are very unsettled and unstable. 
• We come to premature conclusions about ourselves and our prayers. 
• We doubt our calling as God’s intercessors. 

The Misunderstood Art of Prayer

I am convinced that prayer is one of the most misunderstood arts of the human experience. Prayer is not just an activity, a ritual, or an obligation. Nor is it begging God to do what we want Him to do. It is communion and communication with God that touches His heart. When you understand the principles of the art of prayer, you will begin to communicate with God with power, grace, and confidence.

Prayer is meant to be one of the most exciting aspects of a life of faith. It has the power to transform lives, change circumstances, give peace and perseverance in the midst of trial, alter the course of nations, and win the world for Christ.

The power of prayer is the inheritance of the believer. My goal is to demystify prayer so that believers can make use of what is rightfully theirs in Christ. My approach is very practical. It is based on the clear teaching of the Word of God and over thirty years of personal experience in which I have, by God’s grace, learned how to pray and receive answers to my prayers.

I know what it means to struggle with prayer. Therefore, I can understand the pain of unanswered prayer that many Christians are experiencing—that you may be experiencing right now. Yet because I have learned and tested the truths of prayer, I also know the joy of its fulfillment. I’ve come to recognize many of the obstacles that prevent prayer from being answered, as well as many of the principles of effective prayer. These principles are not obscure. They are readily available for you to begin practicing today.

The Pathway to Prayer

If we are to clear away the fog of confusion over prayer so that we may see its features more clearly, we must start by understanding the following truths:

First, we must realize that when prayer does not bring results, it is an indication that something is wrong. God instituted prayer, and throughout the Old and New Testaments, there are numerous examples of prayers offered and answered. When prayer isn’t answered, the Word of God generally provides an indication of why it was not answered, gives insight into the kind of prayers God responds to, and points out what can inhibit our prayers.

This is not to say that the answers to our prayers will always be immediately manifested. However, it does mean that every prayer based on the Word of God and offered in faith by a person who is in right relationship with God is answered—and that it is only a matter of time before that answer is evidenced. God answers as soon as we ask, and He reveals those answers in His timing. That is why Jesus told His disciples “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).

Second, God is faithful to answer prayer. Jesus gave us the assurance that God does hear and answer our prayers. He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). The answer is so sure that we are instructed to believe it has already happened.

Third, God’s will and Word do work when they are understood and put into practice. Whether you think so right now or not, prayer does work. However, it first needs to be understood. We must learn how to pray in a way that embodies the truths and principles of prayer that God has given us in His Word. 

Prayer is meant to be answered—or else God would not ask us to pray. He isn’t interested in wasting your time and efforts. He is too practical for that. He is interested in results, not just “many words” (Matthew 6:7) spoken in prayer. Jesus’ approach to prayer was also very practical. He didn’t pray without expecting to be heard. At one point He said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41–42). We need to pray as Jesus prayed.

Through the truths and principles outlined in this devotional, you can begin today to change your outlook on God, yourself, and prayer. You can have an effective prayer life that will overflow into all other areas of your life. It is God’s desire that you experience intimacy with Him and spiritual strength to fulfill His purposes. Clear away the obstacle of unanswered prayer that has been holding you back from fulfilling your purpose so you can enter into a new dimension of faith, deep love for God, and power for service.