Effective Prayers

James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Keep Reading...

You would like to think that your prayers are making a difference, right? Sometimes you wonder if your words are bouncing to the ceiling and back. How can you ensure real power and authority in your prayers? How can you see consistent breakthrough through your prayer life?

This Bible passage gives us the key. Righteousness. When you are living in the righteousness of Jesus, your prayers will pack a punch. The position of your life before God is the biggest factor in the effectiveness of your prayers.

First, you need to be covered by the righteousness of Jesus. Your saving relationship with Jesus is your covering. When you move from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, you are given new clothes… the righteous clothes of Jesus. So, positionally, you have been made right with God. From this point, you have every possibility of praying powerful prayers.

But, there is one more step. It's one thing to be made right with God positionally. It's another thing to walk in righteousness. Your choice to live a holy life makes all the difference in the effectiveness of your prayers. Living a life set apart or consecrated to God will bring power out of your prayer life. Authority flows where righteousness goes.

If you feel like your prayer life is flat… if you are not seeing much effect from crying out to God, first check your walk of righteousness. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is any area of unholiness in your speech, relationships, entertainment, etc. Deal with the unrighteousness through repentance. The power in your prayers will be restored.