Very often, young believers go through doubts about how effective their prayer life is.  In fact, many have questions and doubts about how worthwhile the Christian life really is. Here we hope to put forth some answers to some of these feelings.

When I pray nothing much happens!

There are two ways to look at the answer to this complaint.

 If you are living your life for Christ the way He wants you to - something will ALWAYS happen every time you pray!

Living your life for Christ doesn't mean a Quick morning, afternoon and evening prayer - it means honouring Him in everything we do and say, seeking to find and do His will, putting Him before our own desires, and confessing our sins to him regularly.  Remember Isaiah 59 v 2 "Your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear." 

If a believer is living their lives tolerating sin, Isaiah 59 v 2 ", tells us why their prayers will NOT be answered. So if this describes the way you have been living your Christian life, really it should be no surprise that nothing happens.

But I am living right before God - and still nothing happens when I pray!

WRONG!!

When a Christian prays and they are living right before God, something AMAZING happens.Every time! A miracle takes place!

Not everyone in the world has the privilege to talk to God and be heard. It is only those believers who live for Christ that have this privilege. We can conclude that every time you pray you are experiencing a special privilege- because you are talking to the Almighty God!

You are also having the opportunity to cast all your care upon Him. (1 Peter 5 v 7).

 Many Christians tell God all about their problems and then end their prayer and take their problems with them again. Really we need to leave our problems at the feet of Jesus - He can deal with your problems - MUCH better than you can - so why bother trying to cope by yourself? Just lay down your burdens in prayer, leave them there and walk away. Remember He cares for you and will help! Don't just tell God about your problems, (after all He already knows about them) give them to Him!

Ok - you have been able to talk with God Almighty and give Him your problems - but is that it? No!!

You also have the privilege to ask Him for your needs - Whatever the need ask God for it - you will receive it ... IF you ask according to His will (1^st John 5 V 14+ 15). Inside the heart of every believer the Holy Spirit is there to lead us to pray for what is necessary.  We, because of our sinful nature, don't always know what to pray, but God has given us the Spirit of His Son (Gal 4 v 6) to help us.

Whether in the past or in the future) there will be a time when you have a very strong desire or urge to pray for something, then when you have (or will) receive an answer to those very specific prayers - you will know that you have prayed according to God's will! This is a victory!

Quick Summary.

God hears and encourages prayer.

 The believer is invited to "Come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:15).

Throughout the Scriptures we are told "Pray without ceasing" "Ask and it shall be given unto you."

Christians are instructed to ask in his name. To make all our requests known to God.

 To keep God first in our lives. To love Him with all our heart. It is when we confess our sins we can have the peace that God heareth our prayers.God also invites every unsaved person to call out in prayer "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" A cry from the heart of a man for Salvation is always responded to immediately               

But what types of things should I pray for?

     JPray for God's wisdom to be given to you as you make everyday decisions.

     JPray for Him to reveal to you His will for your life.

     JPray for the lost - that God will speak to them; even wake them up at night with thoughts about Hell.

     JPray for the Missionaries throughout the world. They need your prayers.

     JPray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. 

    JPray for the governments and leaders of your land - the Bible instructs us to.

 

The list can go on and on.

 

Pray about everything.  "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God." Philippians 4:6