Problems
Disobedience—if we refuse to obey there is no point in praying (1Sam 28:16-18).
Irreverence—we must go to prayer recognising God’s awesomeness (Psalm 46:10)
Lack Of Concern—if we refuse to hear others needs, God will refuse to hear ours (Prov. 21:13)
Sin—unconfessed sin separates us from God and makes communication impossible (Isaiah 59:2)
Unforgiveness—we must forgive others, so, God can hear our prayers and forgive us of our sins (Mark 11:25)
Doubt—takes the power away from our prayers (1Tim 2:8).

Unbelief—our prayers must be rooted in our belief and trust in God (Heb 3:12)
Wrong Motives—praying only to fulfill our pleasures and desires is not praying in God’s will (James 4:3)

(4) Effective Praying: An overview
“AND ELIJAH went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. 43: And said to his servant: “Go up now, and look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “there is nothing.” And seven times he said, “go again.” 44:Then it came to pass the seventh time hat he said, “there is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “go up, say to Ahab, ‘prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.” 45:Now it happened,” (1Kgs 18:42-45).

Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the Lord. In addition to the words “prayer” and “praying,” this activity is described as calling on God (Ps 17:6), calling on the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26), crying with one’s voice to the Lord (Ps 3:4), lifting up one’s soul to the Lord (Ps 25:1), seeking the Lord (Is 55:6), approaching the throne of grace boldly (Heb 4:16) and drawing near to God (Heb 10:22).
Reasons For Prayers: The Bible provides clear reasons God’s people ought to pray.

• First and foremost, believers are commanded by God to pray. The command to pray comes from the lips of the Psalmists (1Chr 16:11; Ps 105:4), prophets (Is 55:6; Amos 5:4, 6), Apostle (Eph 6:17-18; Col 4:2; 1Thes 5:17), and the Lord Jesus, Himself, (Mat 26:41; Lk 18:1; Jn 16:24). God desires our fellowship with Him.

•Prayer is the necessary link to receiving God’s blessing and power and to receiving the fulfillment of His promises. Numerous Bible passages illustrate this principle.Jesus, for example, promised that His followers would receive the Holy Spirit if they persisted in asking, seeking and knocking at the door of their heavenly Father (Lk 11:5-13). Thus, after Jesus’ ascension, His followers joined together constantly in prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:14) until with power (cf.Acts 1:8) the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
•Email:[email protected]. Facebook: Yetunde Mercy Olumide
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