Effective Prayer - Every Christian’s Desire! Greg Kaidannek Do you want more prayers answered? God wants His people to speak to Him so that He can answer powerfully.
F amous speeches have marked pivotal moments in history. Power - ful public addresses have inspired nations and individuals throughout history producing lasting results. President Abraham Lincoln’s Get - tysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history, redefining a divided nation on the cusp of greatness. Though his speech is brief—just 272 words and lasting only moments—the impact of his words extends far beyond those present that day. Millions of Americans—and people around the world—can often quote portions of that address. Lincoln’s words reshaped the understanding of democracy: A government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” What about Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech during a march on the capital in 1963? It be - came a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement for racial equality. A year later the civil rights act was signed. Or President Kennedy’s speech on September 12, 1962, inspired a na - tion to dream boldly. When Neil Armstrong took that historic step on July 20, 1969, the nation rejoiced in a shared triumph. These speeches are remembered not
for their length, but for the results they produced. This principle holds true for God’s people. What we say matters! Especially when speaking to the God of the Universe. The apostle James recorded in James 5:16: The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Our daily prayers can—and must—
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” ●Supplications is the same word used in James. ●Prayers - worshipful, earnest com - munication—opening one’s heart to God. ●Intercessions - pleading on behalf of others. ●Giving thanks - expresses grati - tude toward God.
produce real results. Breaking It Down
The phrase effective fervent comes from the Greek word energeo . This
Christ explained that God’s elect, persistent in prayer, will likewise receive answers swiftly.
is a powerful word that implies real action, meaning toil, act, deed, do- ing, labor, or work—the same root as the English word energy . Prayer, like any labor, requires en - ergy. The Greek word for “prayer” in James 5:16 is deesis , meaning to petition, request, or supplicate. The Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy further clarify the types of prayer. In I Timothy 2:1, he writes:
Four distinct words describe dif- ferent aspects of prayer. Types of prayer are a fascinating topic and the reader is encouraged to look up each term in a Strong’s Concordance for each instance of each word as a supplemental study. Regardless of type, all prayers should be heartfelt and infused with energy. Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us: “Whatever your hand finds to do,
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