6 Keys to Powerful Prayer

May 1, 2013 - Prayer is mentioned more than 100 times in the Bible. If prayer is so important to God, then we need to make it a priority in our lives. Here are six things to remember to help make your prayer life more powerful.

by Decision Staff

Prayer is a privilege. God gave us the privilege of prayer. It is a time of communicating with our Creator. What a privilege it is to bring our petitions before the throne of God.

Prayer is the expression of a relationship. As Christians, we have a relationship with God. In order for a relationship to flourish, it must be nurtured.

Prayer is active. Jesus did nothing apart from the Father. First He prayed. Then He acted. Christ knew that He was always doing His Father's will: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1)

Prayer is yielding to God's will. Be willing to yield to God, for His plan is always perfect.

Prayer is edifying. "Edify" means to instruct or to improve spiritually. We are brought closer to God through prevailing prayer, and God's unlimited power is released through our prayers.

Prayer is real. Why pray when God already knows what we are going to pray? In John 16:24 we read, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."(2)

God knows us intimately: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered,"(3) and He wants to give the best to us, His children. May it be our desire to make prayer a priority in our lives.

(1) Matthew 3:17, NKJV. (2) John 16:24, NIV. (3) Luke 12:7, KJV.

70 Comments

teejay says 5.19.2013, 3:04 p.m.

What I know is that the lords prayer is the most powerful prayer of all times if one don't know how to pray it is ready there for you to just say the lords prayer .it is avaailable in almost all lunguages.

Ranjeeth'EvnglistINDIA says 5.17.2013, 05:52 a.m.

OUR GOD is a Prayer Answering God, whatever may be the Circumstances God Certainly Hears our HeartCry,Humble Prayers. It may seem that nothing happens.' But God is at Work for our Unanswered Prayers. HE watches our Patience.

Emmanuel says 5.16.2013, 09:55 a.m.

prayer is a dialog,conversation with our father by the channel of Holy spirit.thank u

Jesroon says 5.16.2013, 07:05 a.m.

Its amazing to note six powerful points on prayer."Prayer goes up and blessings come down."

PATI says 5.16.2013, 02:34 a.m.

God is so merciful n so faithful that when we call on to him and he answers.am sorry Lord for times i pretend to be busy and i forget to pray.

Massai says 5.16.2013, 00:09 a.m.

Prayer is the food for Holy Spirit within us. So do it continualy. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Narbahadur shrestha says 5.15.2013, 10:00 p.m.

Prayer is very important on human life, it is only one way to talk with God, and it brings peace, joy, prosperity, protect from devil and heal our disease

Pastor Stephen says 5.15.2013, 8:52 p.m.

Praise the Lord , Greeting in mighty name Jesus Christ , please pray Bangladesh and salvation need to Muslim people in Jesus name ,our prayer for you in Jesus name .May God bless you .

Arun4Christ says 5.15.2013, 7:51 p.m.

God make us prayer warriors

Milly says 5.15.2013, 5:20 p.m.

Thank you Lord for Giving us Authority we give you Glory Amen

from Audrey in Canada says 5.15.2013, 4:20 p.m.

Jesus prayed to the Father John17:1-4, also In 1 Thess 5:16-19 Rejoice always, PRAY without ceasing, in Everything give Thanks; for this Is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit. I believe we do this when we don't PRAY.

ZECHARIAH says 5.15.2013, 4:11 p.m.

My number one life priority is prayer,because it's part of me and i can't do without it.GOD bless u for sharing his word with us.thank you

Remeldo says 5.15.2013, 4:03 p.m.

Prayer is the key. That's the answer. Prayer changes things. Prayer is the most powerful weapon that was ever put in the--the control of human beings. There's no atomic bomb, or no hydrogen bomb as powerful as prayer. Prayer will change the mind of God.

Anow says 5.15.2013, 4:01 p.m.

Amen and i thank God for everything for I believe in him for each move i make

Manimaran. says 5.15.2013, 3:56 p.m.

Prayer Brings Victory. Peace and Blessings Starts from Person to Globe. Self and Society. Keep it alive Forever.

Stephen says 5.12.2013, 08:29 a.m.

6 Keys to Powerful Prayer6 Keys to Powerful PrayerThank you for your advice.I see prayer as appealing and communicating with god. Jesus is our key friends where he tells us in John keep his commandments, 14:16 and I will pray the father.God bless.

Lori says 5.10.2013, 4:44 p.m.

Prayer is an important part of my walk. God bless all of my family in Jesus. May each one have a closer relationship with God through prayer daily.

Jan says 5.5.2013, 4:42 p.m.

My song, Just A Closer With God" reminds me, justhow much I need Him .Prayer must be more into my life now .

Earl says 5.4.2013, 00:18 a.m.

I pray for All of the homeless and fatherless ,and hungry children world wide.I pray for all of those little babies that are killed in their mother's womb through abortion.I pray for the elderly in the world who go to bed hungry every nite.

Lou says 5.3.2013, 1:48 p.m.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

patty says 5.3.2013, 11:08 a.m.

Thank you for the word you have shared with us today it have revealed to me the reason why I should never give up on prayer.God bless you.

Janet says 5.3.2013, 08:49 a.m.

Thank you for reminding us how privileged we are when we commune with God. I have seen prayer work in my life many times, a proof that our God listens to us.

Maria says 5.3.2013, 07:31 a.m.

God is so awesome!!! He takes such a good care of me!! His love is the only thing I need!! He is with me wherever I am!! Thank you Lord for all your blessings. Please take care of our beautiful country, The United States of America!!! Amen.

Clint says 5.3.2013, 04:06 a.m.

Our-Heavenly-Father,We here in Your Land 0f America Need Your Help Again, 0ur Country Needs That Spirital-Awakening Again Like,`We the People`had greatly, Like 0ur Ancestors Had And Believed In Americas Ways Of The Land Of The Free w/Bro. Love, Amen.

shadreknadella says 5.3.2013, 03:33 a.m.

Thank you for reminding the power of prayer .JOHN;16;24 and it is real.Glory to the almighty God.

Cristina says 5.3.2013, 02:54 a.m.

Ask and you will receive.Prayer is the Life of our lives.Thank you Lord!

Pat C. says 5.3.2013, 01:09 a.m.

Each night I thank God for all of my blessings of each day.. I ask Him to come back into our country, because we need Him so desparately... We need peace, love, and people to believe again... God we all need you !!!

Arthur says 5.3.2013, 00:14 a.m.

God Bless America and all it's inhabitants, I pray revival over this entire world today and that the word of God spread like wild fire to the lost, then they will see why we speak highly of our most wonderful high God.

Geneva says 5.2.2013, 11:13 p.m.

Lord Jesus I lift up this nation that we love so much. Will You turn the hearts of your people to pray and seek your face. Cleanse us, forgive us, and use us daily to let your love shine during these very dark days. God Bless America.

Sukhui says 5.2.2013, 10:51 p.m.

Prayer is powerful tool for all who trust in the Lord.Pray for our country leaders. They need God's guidance and directions.

Thank you Jesus says 5.2.2013, 10:51 p.m.

Thank you Jesus for being here in the bad and good times. Thank you for letting us places our burdens on you when these terrible burdens would just weight us down and burden us mentally. We do love you Lord Jesus, at least I do I can't speak 4 anyone

Patti says 5.2.2013, 8:15 p.m.

Prayer is powerful as soothing for illness and problems of the mind and soul.I know God hears my prayers,just today our car's battier was low and we were out in the rain stuck,a complete stranger helped us to get our car going so we could get home;]

Awopeju says 5.2.2013, 8:07 p.m.

Truly Prayer is the Key to Open Heaven. Teach us how to pray Oh Lord. Amen.

MARTHA says 5.2.2013, 7:49 p.m.

I HAVE LIVED IN THE VERY BEST TIMES OF THE UNITED STATES IN TIMES WHEN FACTORIES WERE FLOURISHING,YOU NEVER GAVE ANYTHING A SECOND THOUGHT,UNTIL NOWTHE JOBS ARE GONE TO OTHER COUTRIES.NO MORALS I PRAY FOR ALL LOST SOULS,COME TO AND ACCEPT JESUS AMEN

Patricia says 5.2.2013, 7:03 p.m.

Thank you. This is so true. God is always there for us, and He won't force Himself on us. Becauseof His love, He waits for us to come to Him.HE IS SO AWESOME!!

sue says 5.2.2013, 6:31 p.m.

Lord have mercy on us as believers in a world and in a country that once treasured You and Your Holy Word... humble us, help us Holy Father.. for only You can answer our prayer...Open the hearts of people who don't know You

Brady says 5.2.2013, 5:58 p.m.

Prayer is very important. Talking with God is key to a happy and healthy life!

Anthony says 5.2.2013, 5:41 p.m.

Pray for the peace of America and Jerusalem.

chin says 5.2.2013, 5:10 p.m.

very good thanks for you help

Taijram says 5.2.2013, 5:00 p.m.

Thank you

KIM says 5.2.2013, 4:46 p.m.

WE ALL NEED TO BE PRAYING FOR GOD TO COME BACK INTO THIS COUNTRY.. GOD IS A GENTLEMEN AND HE WILL LEAVE IF ASKED LIKE THEY DID IN OUR SCHOOL'S WELL GEE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THERE?? BUT HE IS ALSO A VERY JEALOUS GOD!! I FOR ONE DON'T WANT HIS WRATH

sherry says 5.2.2013, 4:43 p.m.

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Geneva says 5.2.2013, 4:26 p.m.

Prayer is really a wonderful way to talk to God. God wants us to just sit down and chat with him. Talking with God is Prayer. Won't you ask God to save our country from murder, help our leaders make the right decision, get our country back on right.

Vici says 5.2.2013, 4:24 p.m.

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Sherry says 5.2.2013, 4:18 p.m.

Prayer is freedom to talk to God. Thank you Jesus for this freedom.

Barbara says 5.2.2013, 4:11 p.m.

Prayer is also taking time to listen to God as prayer is a dialogue between God and his children. We are often so busy speaking that we don't listen and this requires time and patience both of which we don't have a lot of in our busy lives.

Fred says 5.2.2013, 4:01 p.m.

How great it is to pray, any time, at all times.

Rose says 5.2.2013, 3:54 p.m.

How pointed today! If prayer were just edifying, that would be sufficient to practice it daily.

rebecca says 5.2.2013, 3:45 p.m.

The Lord's Prayer is a wonderful guide to use when you pray...only use your own words.

Gisele says 5.2.2013, 3:25 p.m.

I pray everyday; several times a day. It has become a very important if not the most important thing I do on a daily basis.

Mary says 5.2.2013, 3:21 p.m.

There are times when I pray, I don't speak the words out loud. Does God hear my silent prayers?

PAULETTE says 5.2.2013, 3:21 p.m.

lately i have become faithless and lack in the ability to pray as i once were . When i want to pray i become weak and sleepy . I KNOW THAT ITS IS AN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BUT I FOUND MY SELF CANT PRAY ANY MORE AND IT MAKES ME SAD.

Lloyd says 5.2.2013, 3:21 p.m.

I have seen prayer work from healing someone on the death bed and also congenital illness to as minimal a request as to finding my check book!

Ruth says 5.2.2013, 3:20 p.m.

I allways pray for the same things a long list, dose God get tired of hearing the same thing all the time? Ruth

Janey says 5.2.2013, 3:20 p.m.

In praying we demonstrate that we have turned our will and our trust , to God. That we will move forward by accepting that will. That in all things, God will bring us along, according to His plan.

Marcia says 5.2.2013, 3:07 p.m.

God has blessed this nation and has made us great. We need to pray that He will show us how to protect what He has given us and then we need to act on His direction.

David says 5.2.2013, 2:51 p.m.

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. What a sad thing it is that often we forget that in the busyness of life and prayer gets put on the backburner. Thank you for showing us the keys to powerful prayer.

Debby says 5.2.2013, 2:39 p.m.

I do a lot of praying and conversating with God while driving the car. Prayer is just so very important, and I try to always remember that it is His Will what is done!!

David says 5.2.2013, 2:04 p.m.

I struggle each day trying to pray as sincere as I can.

Mary says 5.2.2013, 1:58 p.m.

I pray my family will come together again as a family forgetting the hurtful times of the past

CAROLYN says 5.2.2013, 1:52 p.m.

My mom, bless her heart, always told me when I was growing up, you can go into a closet and pray and God hears everything you say..My mom was not a church goer and didn't make it a priority for my brother and I.

Jere says 5.2.2013, 1:30 p.m.

Your message on prayer is being emailed to all of students today.

Phyllis says 5.2.2013, 1:27 p.m.

I can attest to the power of prayer in my life. I have seen and experienced the answer to prayer many times, especially in illness. I leave much to be desired but God still loves me and cares for me.

Tom says 5.2.2013, 1:24 p.m.

Praise the Lord! Thank you for the privilege of praying and help us to seek a nurturing and growing relationship with you, our Creator and Father.

Cody says 5.2.2013, 1:21 p.m.

thank you for this reminder. I am sending a needed letter, but I need to spend more time on my knees before sending it. And God have mercy on us as a country. II Chronicles 7:14 Teach us to pray Lord.

evalyn says 5.2.2013, 1:21 p.m.

Our Heavenly Father is so faithful... ! "Be still and know, that I am God."

Maryann says 5.2.2013, 1:13 p.m.

Love and trust God with all your heart soul and being He hears our prayers and is with us always

evalyn says 5.2.2013, 1:07 p.m.

Our Heavenly Father is so faithful... ! "Be still and know, that I am God."

Dan says 5.2.2013, 1:01 p.m.

I thank god for this ministry and all the Rest of our brothers around the world carrying out the great commission, god bless this nation and send a revival to our Christian community!

tina says 5.2.2013, 12:58 a.m.

thank you.