Today’s devotional: the power of effective prayer
What does effective prayer look like in practice? There’s no “magic formula” that will cause a prayer to be answered in the exact way you want, but the Bible does illustrate that the attitude with which we approach prayer is important. In this devotional from Back to the Bible, Woodrow Kroll looks at one of the most remarkable examples of an effective prayer: King Hezekiah’s plea for help in the face of almost impossibly grim circumstances.
What was so effective about Hezekiah’s prayer? Kroll identifies seven key elements of the prayer. Here are the first three:
1. His prayer was instinctively spontaneous (verse 14). When Hezekiah received the threatening letter, he immediately spread it before the Lord. There was no thought of calling a committee or seeking the advice of others; Hezekiah knew what to do, as did Elisha (2 Kings 4:33) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:4) in similar situations.
2. His prayer was praisefully reverent (verse 15). He addressed Jehovah as, “O LORD God of Israel which dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone.” The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9) indicates the same kind of reverence.
3. His prayer was intimately personal (verse 16). After he addressed God in a reverent fashion, Hezekiah said, “LORD, bow down Thine ear and hear.” He had recognized God as sovereign; now he addresses Him as friend.
Read the rest of the devotional for all seven characteristics of Hezekiah’s prayer.
Think about the last time you prayed about something. If you were to examine the words and attitude behind that prayer, would it resemble Hezekiah’s in humility and sincerity? When have you felt that your prayers were truly effective?
i thank the reason for hell, is because of saten, belief that he can over through the kingdom of god, by trying to turn gods people heart from the one and only true gods, i think that god allow this to happen, to show saten at the end of his plans who is the supreme god and the mister of the universe, evan do saten know that god is all powerful he use god people to work agaienst the will of god,god also give us a free will to choose hell are heaven, we need to be careful not to fall under the trap the devil has set for are life, that is why hell is created so that we can exercise are free will.
I am very much admired for your article affective prayer. Thank you, God bless you.
Thank God 4 the existence of this type of web…i’m always inspired being here.
The effective prayer is so true and it works. God is good and I thank him for the salvation everyday. Thank you and God bless.
effectual fervent prayer availeth much…. Praise Jesus!!!
I think hell never meant for the children of God.it’s for satan the father of sin who has fallen out of grace from the beginnig,thanks.
Hezekiah Relied solely on faith that God would protect him. Most people pray but don’t have the faith that God expects us to have when we pray to him, also how do you pray to him? EX: “Lord I WANT a new car, a mustang drop top” I can say from personal experience I ASKED God to give me a car with all sincerity. I prayed without ceasing and looked for a car for about a month long story short he gave me what I needed and not what I wanted.