"Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father. I come to you in the Name of your Son Jesus, asking, praying and giving thanks, for all the Blessings that you have bestowed upon me and my family. You are the Lord God almighty, the God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob and thou art my God."

This is the beginning of my prayers to God, who, know,sees and understands all our needs before we even ask. What makes a prayer and effective prayer? An effective prayer is not a prayer at all, really, but a communication, one on one, with God.

A unifying of Spirits, thru Jesus Christ our mediator. The Bible tells us that we are to come unto the throne room boldly and submit our petitions to God. We must praise God for His excellent Greatness, Power, Majesty and for His Glory, this is not much to ask, for all that our Lord has done for His Children. Hebrews 4:14-16; Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (If we Confess, Jesus, our, Profession, of Jesus will be valid.)

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;(Jesus considers all who believe because He experienced all that we do.) but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. " Our most common prayers to God consist of our deepest concerns for the health and well being of our Friends, Loved One, Family, and our Enemies.

This is our every day trial of faith that comes when we see others suffer. This however is different from a close encounter with the Lord for those things that Jesus called Petitions. In a general sense, a Petition is, a request, supplication or prayer; but chiefly and appropriately, a solemn or formal supplication. This is deeper than a prayer, that most of us, without us realizing, are common repetitive prayers. There is nothing wrong with this, God knows us by our level of Faith, but Jesus told us that the Father already knows our needs before we even ask. Hence the Lords Prayer.

A humble petitioner; one who entreats submissively. Entreating; beseeching; supplicating; asking earnestly and submissively. A prayer addressed by a person to the Supreme Being, for something needed or desired, or a branch or particular article of prayer. An Effective Prayer comes from the Heart, is Spontaneous and is directly, from praying in the Holy Ghost, toward the Father.
Effective Prayers are those when we spend time with the Father, discussing all that we see, hear and feel. God is a God of thoughts and feelings. He wants to talk to you and not just listen. He wants a real relationship, a loving relationship with His Children.

We must spend time with Him, Getting to know Him, as He gets closer to us. Even doctors today tell us that a child grows best when, there is an interaction between them, and the parent, is God any different than a loving human parent? When your prayers go beyond just speaking at God and become prayers to God, then your prayers become a relationship, with God. Wesley states of Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly - Without any doubt or fear. Unto the throne of God, our reconciled Father, even his throne of grace - Grace erected it, and reigns there, and dispenses all blessings in a way of mere, unmerited favor.

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. We have access to God, without going thru man, nor Angel, for Christ Gave us of His Spirit, that we may enter into the Presence of God by the Name of Jesus. There is no need for any mediator than Jesus. Another man cannot be a mediator for you, this is beyond his power and access. When we understand our rights and privileges, that we possess, then our prayers and our very lives can be changed, so long as it is in the will of God. This is stated in 1John 5:14, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" Many times our prayers fall short, because they are not in Gods will for that person, place nor situation.

If prophecy is dependant upon something happening, God will not answer a prayer that would change the prophecy. 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1Jo 5:15 And if we know that he hear us,(Are you confident enough that God actually hears your prayers, if so then you are in direct contact with Him. I always ask God to forgive me of any sin that I may have committed, so that my heart is clear, before interring into His presence.) whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the Petitions that we desired of him.

Psa 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy Petitions.

Pro 15:28-29; The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. An effective prayer is not a mondain nor repetitive prayer, for Jesus was dissatisfied with the Pharisees repetitive prayers.

Thus He taught us of praying with the Heart and with Power. Our prayers must address the fact, that, when we mention the Name of Jesus, we are then in Direct presence with God. We are no longer a servant but a Child of God. Jesus, as we became a believer, became not Just Lord and Christ to us, but also a Friend. Therefore God will deal with us not as a stranger but as a King & Priest. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This is a passionate request and conversation with the Father. What is needed is a conversation with God without asking for anything. Seeking His will for us, seeking His wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding and Feelings for us. Take time just to talk with God. You'll feel the difference each time you pray. ars.

References for Heb 4:16 - Heb_10:19-23, Heb_13:6; Rom_8:15-17; Eph_2:18, Eph_3:12 Heb_9:5; Exo_25:17-22; Lev_16:2; 1Ch_28:11 Isa_27:11, Isa_55:6, Isa_55:7; Mat_7:7-11; 2Co_12:8- 10; Phi_4:6, Phi_4:7; 1Pe_2:10

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/