Prayer is a response to the love of God in Christ Jesus. We respond to God's invitation to come and receive his love, protection, advice, help, and correction. We respond with ardent love to the One who loved and saved us. Instead of attempting to go to God for a "quick fix," we must respond to Him properly in spirit and in truth. We can not try to use God to simply satisfy our desires.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16

A right attitude: We must come to God with a right heart and attitude. Come with a heart that is willing to obey, full of faith, and has a desire to hear from God. We come believing that God will help us and those we pray for. And when we pray, there must be a willingness to pray according to God's will as well as a willingness to obey. This is an attitude of surrender.

A fervent prayer is a prayer filled with love for God and a great desire to see righteous and holiness accomplished in the lives of those we pray for. It is expecting God to work in the lives of those we pray for and in our own life. It is believing and knowing that God hears and answers us on the basis of Christ's atoning blood. It is a prayer of faith that is not based in our desires but deeply embedded and grounded in the desires of God's very own heart. We are to be zealous for righteousness and with intensity bring our petitions before the LORD God.

An effective prayer must be grounded in scriptural truth of who God is. We must see His holiness and righteousness as well as God's kindness, mercy, and love. There has to be loving respect as well as trust when we come to God. An effective prayer is one that is prayed in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces and impresses within us what we need to pray. HE intercedes on our behalf, and kindles the fires of God's will within our hearts so that we will know what to ask for. Thus, we know that our petitions are answered.

In the name of Jesus, our requests are presented unto the Father soaked in the sweet aroma of Christ's own blood. Jesus lives to make intercession for us! Jesus has already won the battle and we now have Victory in Him!

"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints
according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).

Prayer is not some simple name it and claim it game. Instead true prayer seeks the heart of God and desires righteousness and holiness to be done above all. Prayer expresses our deepest need for God - our utter dependence upon Him to meet our needs and the needs of others. Our heart cries out for God's divine intervention and care for ourselves and for those we are praying for.

The battle is won
soaked in the blood
of Jesus Christ
God's holy Son.

Sweet is the victory when God's will we pray.