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Effective Prayer

Building a successful prayer life post series [James 5:16]
The bible records in James 5:16 that ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’
So what is effectual (or potentially effective) prayer – this is prayer by the Spirit (also known as praying in the Spirit). The Holy Spirit births effective prayer and this is actualized through His divine promptings in our hearts.
Effective prayer is neither the five minutes monitored prayer in the morning, nor the one hour timed prayer, it is the prayer led by the Spirit. The point is that; it’s not clocked, it is fervent (see Persisting in Prayer) and it avails much as the bible records (in other words it is helpful and yields results).
Since effective prayer is Spirit-led,
  • it is therefore not flesh-driven(your spirit with the Spirit), which implies that it is centred on the will of the Father (James 4:3).
  • and not flesh-driven, it is a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
  • and centred on the will of the Father, then it must never contradict the Word – the Bible

So Praying in the Spirit
Effective prayer is non-casual and can only be achieved in God’s presence, because it is led by the Spirit who alone knows the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
The mystery of praying in the Spirit
» Romans 8:26 ‘Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’
I like to interpret the verse in three ways (which are all guided by the Spirit):
  • unspoken expressions (which is otherwise humanly inexpressible); Joshua 8:18-26, John 11:35.
  • speaking in an unknown tongue (unknown to you - gift); Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:14.
  • speaking in a known tongue (which could be humanly overwhelming); Mark 14:36.

How often should one pray in the Spirit: ALWAYS (Ephesians 6:18). So with Faith in God always pray in the Spirit.
Remain forever blessed.
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