Several things go into making our prayers effective. One was identified yesterday; which is walking in righteousness. God does not hear sinners, the Bible says emphatically. Those who want to make good their prayer life have no business with a sinful lifestyle. Beyond right living, faith is also essential for effectiveness in prayer. James wrote that those who lack wisdom (or anything whatsoever) should ask the Father who gives liberally. A caveat is added, though. We must learn to ask in faith. Making a petition to the Father without faith makes you like the wave of the sea tossed every way. Nothing positive will come out of such exercise. This makes faith an indispensable currency in God’s kingdom.

Whenever a petition is not answered as expected, a child of God should be assured that something better is in the offing. It will take patience to understand the reason for what is withheld and for the eyes to be opened to God’s better package.

Do righteousness and faith always translate to answered prayers? There are times when the sovereignty of God comes into the mix. In other words, there are unique occasions when all the righteousness and faith we can muster will not get us the answer. Jesus lived a spotless life. His level of faith had no equal. Yet, in the garden of Gethsemane He prayed that the cup be removed from Him. Three rounds of prayer were not enough to take the cup away. Paul also complained of a thorn in his flesh. On three different occasions he prayed for it to be removed. Rather than have it removed, God simply assured him of His sufficient grace. Whenever a petition is not answered as expected, a child of God should be assured that something better is in the offing.  It will take patience to understand the reason for what is withheld and for the eyes to be opened to God’s better package.