Increased Effectiveness in Prayer by Abiding in the Word

This month I wanted to share with you something that I have been trying harder to implement in my life. As I shared last month, I want myself and those I speak to that believe in Jesus to have a maturity in their walk with Him. I also want to have an action plan to be mighty in the Word and mighty in prayer - so that when I pray, angels and demons move, affecting personal situations, bringing the power of God to sick bodies, and bringing peace and salvation to geographic regions.

We know that God will surely accomplish what He has determined regardless of what people or demons do. However, He has chosen to give us a dynamic role in determining some of measure of the "quality of life" that we experience in the natural and in the Spirit. We determine this based on our response to the grace of God in our partnership with Him - in prayer and in meekness.

God opens doors of blessing and closes doors of oppression in response to our prayers. There are blessings that God has chosen to give, but only if His people rise up in the partnership of prayer to ask for them.

You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)

The LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on High to have compassion on you....19 He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. (Isaiah 30:18-19; NAS)

Why did God choose prayer? Prayer and intercession (prayer for others) causes us to internalize God's Word as we speak God's ideas back to Him many times. Each time we say back to God what He has declared to us, it marks our mind and spirit and thus, changes us.

Here are just a few practicals that have helped me:

1) The importance of having a personal Bible study plan -

Jesus promised that if God's words (thoughts) abide in us then we would have power in prayer. The Word abides in us as we meditate on the Scripture and pursue obedience.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit... (Jn. 15:7-8)

2) Developing a personal prayer list to help us focus -

I have found that praying the apostolic prayers (the prayers that the apostles of the New Testament prayed) have caused my heart to grow in love for God and for others, and has given me even more of a burden to serve and pray for those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ.

"that He would grant you... to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man... that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints ...the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

3) Develop a prayer list for others -

Including praying for specific areas of justice in all areas of life. Include on this list, specific people you regularly pray for (friends, ministries, unsaved, sick, etc.)