Pray Effectively
read ACTS 12:1-7

This Bible story vivdly illustrates how God worsks in response to help the prayers of his people.Thougg Peter's situation appeared hopless,the body of the believers did all that they could for him-they called on God.

What made the prayers of these believers so effective?Their secret is found Acts 12:5.There we see the three basic steps these Christians took in response to what appeared to be a hopeless situation:

1.They Directed Their Prayer To God
Ironically,many times our prayers often contain little though of God himself.We fill our mind with thoughts about our own needs instead of our heavenly father.But Jesus himself encouraged us to respectfully consider whom we are praying to when he gave us the Lord's Prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13).This will allow you to take your eyes off of your dilemma and to place them on Jesus,and it will also help to align your will or desire with his.

2.They Prayed Earnestly
These believers offerec constant,fervent prayer on Peter's behalf.Another way to translate this verse is."They prayed with agony."
It is the same phrase used to describe the way Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.Their prayers had intensity.Many of our prayers have no power because they have little or no heart in them.If we put so little heart into our prayers,we cannot expect God to put much heart into answering them.

3.They Prayed As A Body
This is power in united prayer.Jesus said in Matthew 18:19, "I also tell you this:If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask,my Father in heaven will di it for you." What Jesus meant is that if two or more people who share the same God-given burden are sure of God's will and are in agreement with the Spirit of God and one anohther as they pray-they will see dynamic results.

Someone once said,"Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees."If you are in a bleak situation today,consider how God worked through the prayers of these early Christians.Don't Give Up.If you follow these principles,you will see results done God's way and in God's timing.

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Jia Hui