Powerful Prayers: 5 Ways to Pray with Power

What does prayer really mean to you?

Some say, prayer means communicating with God. Others might say that prayer is a way to move the power of God. Or, prayer is a way for your life to keep being strengthened day by day. Of course, all of these answers are true.

Why is prayer important? Because in prayer, a relationship is formed between you and God, and from there He can work in your life. All the figures in the Bible prayed, whether prophets, kings, or ordinary people. Even Jesus, the Son of God Himself, prayed. “The prayer of a righteous person, when prayed with faith, is very powerful,” says James 5:16b. When you pray earnestly, God’s heart is moved.

The question is, why does offering up prayer sometimes feel difficult? Do you long to have prayers that are powerful? How can you have an extraordinary prayer life?

Why Is Prayer So Difficult?

For some people, praying feels very hard. Prayer, which should be an intimate time with God, instead feels dry or boring. Rather than enjoying God’s power, prayer becomes nothing more than a ritual done without any deep meaning.

Why does that happen? Most likely you pray only because you feel obligated to pray, not because you want to be with God. Maybe you often pray, before eating, before sleeping, after waking up, before starting a journey, and in many other moments. After offering a prayer, you feel that you have already surrendered to God. The reality? Your prayer may have been offered only halfheartedly.

I have experienced it too. Over time, prayer became nothing more than an obligation drained of meaning. I did pray, but why I prayed, I did not know. In the end, the prayers I offered flowed from a lukewarm heart. There was no power in them. There was no intimacy, and instead they became a daily checklist that I had to complete.

Of course, there can be other causes too, for example the stress that arises from the problems you are praying about. If this is what is happening, you can see the solution here.

Corrie ten Boom said, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Prayer should be what determines the direction of your life. If you, like in my case above, are still struggling with how to pray the right way, do not worry. There are several steps you can take so that prayer becomes something powerful in your life.

5 Ways to Make Your Prayers Powerful

1. Settle the Problems in Your Heart

If you feel that your prayer life is dry, one possible reason is a problem in your heart. Remember, 1 Samuel 16:7b states that God looks at the heart, rather than outward appearance or human actions. It is impossible to expect God to listen to your prayer if there is something in your heart that is displeasing to Him.

Jesus Himself agreed on this point:

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5: 23-24

When you pray, you offer your longings, requests, even your fears and worries to God. How can God be pleased with you if He knows there is something wrong in your heart?

Therefore, the first step you can take is to acknowledge the mistakes or sins you have committed. Or, resolve the conflict between you and another person. Not only will it make you feel relieved, a right heart will also make your prayers more heard by God.

2. Choose a Specific Time to Pray

You certainly can pray anytime and anywhere. Your spiritual life, including prayer, is not limited only by time and place. This fits with what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. (John 4:23).”

However, this freedom can backfire, especially when it comes to consistency. If you want your prayer life to become extraordinary, having a set time to pray regularly and consistently is a must.

Why do you need a specific time? Having a schedule will make it easier for you to build the habit of praying. Just look at Daniel, who “three times a day knelt down, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10b). Being specific and consistent is the key to a powerful prayer life.

You can choose the time when you feel most comfortable praying. Some people like to pray in the morning, while others do it at night. After finding that time, try to repeat it continuously in the days that follow.

3. Pray for All Your Longings

One truth you may hear often is this: “Nothing is impossible for the one who believes! (Mark 9:23).” That means that as long as you believe, the God you worship is a God whose greatness is beyond measure. He is powerful, and His power is not limited by anything or anyone.

Sadly, for most believers, this truth has become a cliché.

You believe that God has given us Jesus, who died for your sins and was raised on the third day. But how much do you believe that this same God also has power over your daily life, your finances, your work, your future spouse, even your future? How much do you believe that God sustains your life, even in difficult times like these?

If you believe God was able to raise Jesus to save you from your sins and your old life, then you must also trust Him in the matters of everyday life. Not only that, you must believe that He can save your family, your friends, and even the people out there. Do not let the realities and hardships of your life blur this truth.

God cares about the earth and all that is in it, and He cares about you too. Therefore, whatever your heart longs for, pray about it. No matter what you want to happen, as long as it does not go against God’s will, pray about it.

This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything let your requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).” No prayer is too trivial or too difficult for God. Do not hesitate, but pray for your heart’s desire now!

4. Pray Without Growing Weary

No one knows God’s timing, including in the things we pray for. It could be tomorrow, next year, or many years later. During that waiting season, your faith can be worn down or even lost. You may be tempted to question God’s promises.

This is why it is so important not to grow weary in prayer. Even in the most uncertain circumstances, God will answer us, on one condition: we keep seeking Him with all our heart. It was like this for the people of Israel after they were exiled to Babylon; they had lost hope, lost their homeland, and were stranded in a foreign land. But what does God’s word say?

“Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you; when you seek Me, you will find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:12-13

Jesus affirmed that we should never stop bringing our longings before God. What should we do?

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8).”

Ask, seek, knock. The Lord surely hears, and He cares about what you need. He is waiting for the sincerity of your heart as you ask Him. Even though you have not yet received what you are seeking, trust that God will give it at the right time.

5. Pray Together

There are times when you pray alone. There are also times when you pray together. God wants believers to gather together, so that troubles and burdens can be shared. That is why this is also important. You can see some of the benefits of praying together here.

Matthew 18:20 underscores this: “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there I am among them.” As one body in Christ, believers who agree on one thing can produce an extraordinary impact.

When you are facing a major struggle, you can invite your fellow believers or your mentor to sit together and bring your prayers to God. Not only will more people be praying for the same thing, but you can also grow closer to those who pray with you. Their presence can encourage you, so that you are stronger in living your life.

Keep Praying!

In short, praying in the right way will have an extraordinary effect on your life. Prayer is the breath of a believer’s life, and it is only right for you to enjoy and experience God’s power through prayer. So, keep praying. God longs to know and touch you, but only if you are willing to open your heart to Him. Come on, start praying today!

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Reference: www.desiringgod.org/articles/prayer-for-beginners

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