Drawing inspiration from the rain-withholding prayer of Elijah, the apostle James said that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Today, we turn our attention to what makes prayer effective. Is it the length of it? Some of the most life-altering prayers were said in minutes. David did not have a long session of prayer when he heard Ahithophel had joined Absalom’s conspiracy. He simply asked God on a telegraphic note to turn his counsel to foolishness. That tilted the scale in David’s favour and he eventually recovered his throne. Again, it is not the pitch of our voice that determines its effectiveness. Hannah’s mouth only moved while she prayed. Her words were not apparent to any mortal man. So absurd did her prayer appear that the priest thought she was drunk. We can make all the noise and drag it over hours and still not make profit of prayer.

“Effective prayer is bred in what God has said to you… If you want to be more accurate and effective in prayer, give attention to the word of God.”

Effective prayer is bred in what God has said to you. A lot of what goes on in the name of prayer are not more than wishful thinking or personal desires. While there may be nothing wrong with these, they are not backed by any guarantee that they will be answered. What proceeds from God and is processed back to Him via prayer is a sure bet. David received a word from God through Nathan. God’s promise covered him and his children after him. As soon as that word was spoken, he went to the Lord in prayer. David averred that what God said was the reason for the prayer he offered. If you want to be more accurate and effective in prayer, give attention to the word of God. No one can pray amiss while being guided by the word.