I think prayer is probably one of the most abused and misused things in the Christian life.
We are seeing attacks on the church, the family, and children like nothing we’ve ever seen in the history of the United States. When fear sets in, some people go to panicking, while others start praying and asking God for revival.
But many of the prayers I’ve been hearing are not done in the most effective way. I’m not trying to criticize people, but they are praying out of desperation; they’re praying out of fear. They aren’t taking their authority and using it. The majority of people believe that just as long as they pray, everything is fine. That is not true. There is a right way and a wrong way to pray.
Look at what Jesus said when He talked about prayer in Matthew 6, often called the Sermon on the Mount:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Jesus felt it was important enough to teach His disciples what not to do when praying. Prayer is not an opportunity to inform “poor misinformed God” of how bad your situation is. It seems like people think they’ve got to get their request to the top of the pile because God just has so many people asking Him for things. In Matthew 6, Jesus goes on to say,
Be not ye therefore like unto them [heathens]: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
A lot of what people are doing today is nothing but praying out of fear. They think that if they start with “our heavenly Father,” end with “in the name of Jesus,” and say whatever they want in between, they’ve said a prayer. No. That’s not how prayer works. People are praying with a whole lot of unbelief and a whole lot of fear. But according to Psalm 91:5, we don’t have to be afraid of the terror by night (that means the deadly plague). Psalm 91:10 goes on to say that no evil will befall us, and no plague will come near our dwelling.
I tell you, there is a right way and a wrong way to pray, and a lot of people are not praying the right way. For example, people may tell God they’re fearful and depressed and ask Him to give them joy, peace, and protection.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
So if you aren’t experiencing peace, protection, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore, it’s because you aren’t staying in the presence of God. God is always with you, but you aren’t always appropriating what He’s provided.
A key thing about prayer is that all of God’s promises about protection have to be spoken (Ps. 91:2). You also have to believe He has given you His power. So instead of asking God to do something about the coronavirus, you need to believe He has given you power over all sickness and over all disease (Matt. 10:1 and 8), and then you start speaking to it. There are millions of people around the world who are praying and asking for God’s help, but they don’t understand God has already given it.
When I was just getting started fifty-five years ago, I would see a few miracles happen every once in a while. I would sometimes see the presence and the power of God show up, and I’d see some of my prayers answered. (You know, even an old, blind squirrel will get a nut every once in a while.) But they were few and far between because I was praying the way that is traditionally taught. Yet God loved me, and I loved Him.
But over these years of seeking the Lord, I’ve learned some things. I’ve learned a better way to pray, and I get better results today than I have ever gotten. I believe my prayer life and my relationship with the Lord is better than it’s ever been.
There’s so much more to it than space will allow here. So I’ve put what I’ve learned into my teaching called A Better Way to Pray. This teaching has set many people free, including my friend John Tesh, who was miraculously healed of prostate cancer after he took hold of Mark 11:23 and began speaking to his mountain. I’ve had so many people tell me that this knowledge revolutionized their relationship with the Lord. They’ve said it’s one of the most important things they’ve ever learned.
With all that is happening in our world today, you need to be praying the right way.
I encourage you to get my teaching on A Better Way to Pray. The book and study guide are available in English and in Spanish, and for a limited time, we’re giving the booklet away for free. I also have this teaching in CD and DVD format.
Now, I’m not saying you’re of the devil if you don’t pray the way I do. I’ve done everything I teach against in A Better Way to Pray. But if what you’re doing isn’t working, consider A Better Way to Pray. I know it will be a huge help to you.
My prayer for you is that the Lord will take these things I’ve shared and bring you into a new understanding of what prayer is and how your prayers can be more effective. I believe the Lord will use these truths to bring you out of any “religious” traditions that make the Word of God of no effect in your life. You’ll experience the freedom and joy that comes from knowing God in both spirit and truth.
And as these truths set you free, I pray that the Lord will grant you opportunities to share these things with others so they also can begin experiencing A Better Way to Pray!
We love you and are praying for you,
