Availing Prayer

I believe God’s promises about prayer, but I’m not sure I believe in prayer. To say I believe in prayer is too broad. It’s as though prayer itself is something to believe in, as opposed to believing in the One who has promised to hear and answer prayers – albeit conditionally. And that conditionally part is why I don’t like to say I believe in prayer. The Bible is clear about this: God promises to hear and answer the prayers offered in faith, in Jesus’ name, and from a righteous person praying fervently. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  – Luke 11:9-10 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. – Matthew 6:7 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. – Proverbs 15:8 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:3 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:8 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16