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Writer's pictureShawn Paul

7 Things to Make Your Prayer Life Powerful and Transforming

Updated: 6 days ago

Do you realize how powerful prayer is for your life? How much it can transform you?


When you ask people who you would like to see first and talk to when you get to heaven. Many will say they want to talk to Jesus. They have a million questions for Him. All the while, they can be asking Him a million questions right now!


Not only can we ask all the questions, we can use prayer to transform our lives. We can be the person God inspires us to be by allowing prayer to mold and shape us.


I promise you, as you live a life of prayer and learn how to seek the Lord; you will be amazed how much you will like the new you.


Read on to be transformed and see who you can be in God!


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God is Powerful – He is the Perfect One to Pray to


We first must understand who God is:


  • God Is Infinite – He is self-existing, without origin.

  • God Is Immutable – He never changes.

  • God Is Self-Sufficient – He has no needs.

  • God is Omnipotent – He is all-powerful.

  • God Is Omniscient – He is all-knowing.

  • God Is Omnipresent – He is always everywhere.

  • God Is Wise – He is full of perfect, unchanging wisdom.

  • God Is Faithful – He is infinitely, unchangingly true.

  • God Is Good – He is unchangingly kind and full of goodwill.

  • God Is Just – He is infinitely, unchangeably right, and perfect in all he does.

  • God Is Merciful – He is infinitely, unchangeably compassionate and kind.

  • God Is Gracious – God is infinitely inclined to spare the guilty.

  • God Is Loving – God infinitely, unchangingly loves us.

  • God Is Holy – He is infinitely, unchangingly perfect.

  • God Is Glorious – He is infinitely beautiful and great.


Consider these attributes and now consider that we all, the human race, can communicate with Him, our Creator, and Heavenly Father. While millions or even billions of prayers ascend to God each day, it is incredible to think that He can handle all of them and even answer them intimately.


Prayer is where we find strength, direction, and guidance. It is a way for us to express our thoughts, feelings, and desires to Him. It is through prayer that we can intimately encounter God, and in that encounter, transformation happens. As we spend time in prayer, we grow and change.


As someone who has been serving the Lord for over 30 years, I can't even begin to share with you where I was and where I am today. The transformation took place in prayer. God speaks to me, showing me, leading, and guiding me in all areas of my life. Prayer to me is not an emergency alarm that I pull periodically. It is ingrained in my life.


Following Jesus' Example will Make Your Prayer Life Powerful and Transforming


Matthew 14:23 (NLT) — 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

Jesus is the perfect example of a man of prayer. He found strength in the solitude of prayer and had intimate fellowship with the Father. He listened to the Father, followed His lead, and heard His voice through spending time with Him in prayer.


We should pattern our lives after Jesus and make prayer a priority. Just as Jesus had a deep and intimate relationship with the Father through prayer, we, too, can experience the same.


I know many would say that can't be so, but it is. Jesus is the Son of God, but he came as the Son of Man. He came to show us how to live life. He is our great example. We should seek to live like Him in all ways of life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can.


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Prayer is Important – Always Run to God


Philippians 4:6 (NLT) — 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Prayer is crucial in our lives because it is where we encounter God and where God encounters us. It is in prayer that we find strength, direction, and guidance. No matter what situations we face, good or bad, we should learn to turn to prayer.


I always encourage all to have a written policy in your spirit: RUN TO GOD, NO MATTER WHAT!


  • If you mess up, run to God.

  • If you are lonely, run to God.

  • If you are rejoicing, run to God.

  • If you are depressed, run to God.

  • If you are seeking a plan for your life, run to God.

  • If you are buying a home, run to God.

  • If you are seeking to be married, run to God.

  • If you had the best day of your life, run to God.

  • Do you get the hint? Run to God in prayer in all situations.


Through prayer, we can experience the transforming power of God and see ourselves being changed on a consistent and constant basis. When we pray, we communicate with a loving God who responds to our prayers, attends to our needs, and listens to our hearts.


A consistent prayer life should be a part of you. Don't beat yourself up if you are not there yet. I encourage you to seek God's face and ask for the Holy Spirit to help you hunger a prayer life. I promise you, if you are sincere, He will help you!


Clean Up Your Attitude Before Entering Prayer


"A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you can't go anywhere until you change it." - Unknown

I personally believe attitude is HUGE with God. He doesn't mind letting you stew in your misery. Sure, He will have the Holy Spirit speak to you and help you see your ways, but the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He is not going to force you to fix your attitude.


Philippians 2:14 (NLT) — 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing.

Attitude will hinder your prayers and what you receive. The Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith. I believe we can displease God with a rotten attitude. Never approach the throne room of God complaining. As we approach prayer, it is essential to examine our attitudes.


While we shouldn't feel like we must be perfect in prayer, our hearts should be filled with faith, hope, and encouragement. God wants us to come to Him with an attitude that says, "You are important in my life, and I need to spend time with You."


Trusting in His promises, depending on His grace, and living by His Spirit are all aspects of prayer that contribute to a powerful and rewarding prayer experience.


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Talk to God All Throughout the Day


1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) — 17 Pray without ceasing.

I always teach people that prayer is a lifestyle. It is inside of us to want to communicate with the Lord all throughout the day. Prayer is not limited to a specific time or place.


My wife and I are together almost 24 hours a day. We both have offices in our home. It is not uncommon for me to stop my work, get up, and go to her office during the day to hug her or tell her I love her. You would think we have talked about everything if we were together all day long. Nope, we talk with each other all throughout the day.


Just as we talk to our loved ones throughout the day, we can continually talk to God. Praying unceasingly means being unceasingly aware of God's presence and seeking opportunities to communicate with Him.


It is not about walking around and continually speaking words without faith or meaning but about maintaining an ongoing relationship with God, seeking His will, and interceding for others. It's about asking Him for guidance or His input. That is prayer!


Don't Give Up – Persevere Through Prayer


Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) — 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Effective prayer requires perseverance. We must stand our ground and hold onto what we are praying for. The enemy may try to discourage us or challenge us, but we must persist in prayer and not give up.


Persevering in prayer means maintaining our belief and course of action in the face of opposition. We must continue to pray in faith, knowing that God hears us and works on our behalf, even if we do not see immediate answers to our petitions.


Praying God's Word is very important. It will strengthen you, giving you the assurance you need to persevere. Sadly, many give up too soon. You may have seen the cartoon of two men digging for diamonds. One is so close to the diamond but gives up. The other pushes through and finds the diamonds. It's the same for our prayers. Don't give up. God's promises are true!


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Trust in God's Timing – Let God Work it Out


Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) — 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Part of trusting God is waiting on Him and knowing that He has the perfect timing for all of us. I believe He answers our prayers immediately and starts putting them into action. But He still must work things in the natural as well.


I read a story about a Christian couple that was trying to sell their home. It was on the market for a couple of years. They prayed and prayed for the buyer to come, not giving up. Then, finally, one day, it sold. While at the closing, the new buyer told the sellers that he planned on buying the home the day they put their sign out, but he had to sell his property first. As we can see, God was working behind the scenes. He found the buyer but had to find someone else to buy the buyer's house. The couple didn't cease praying or believing. It's a simple story but a powerful truth.


Just as a farmer waits patiently for the harvest, we must trust God's timing in answering our prayers. In prayer, we sow the seeds but may not immediately see the results. We must trust that God is working behind the scenes, bringing about His will and aligning circumstances for our benefit. Our task is to continually tend to our prayers, nurture them by reading His Word, standing in faith, and reminding ourselves of His promises. As we do this, we will see the answers to our prayers manifest in due time.


To Recap Everything


Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about transformation in our lives.


It is our means of communication with God, where we find strength, direction, and guidance.


Through prayer, we intimately encounter God, and He encounters us, bringing about transformation in our lives.


Prayer is not limited to a specific time or place; it is a continuous conversation and communication with God.


It requires perseverance and faith, trusting in God's timing and His promises.


As we prioritize prayer in our lives and learn to pray effectively, we will see the mighty power of God at work, bringing about wonderful results and transforming our lives for the better.


Scriptures on Prayer


Matthew 21:22

Mark 11:24

James 5:16

Philippians 4:6-7

1 John 5:14-15

Matthew 6:6

Matthew 18:19

Jeremiah 33:3

Psalm 145:18


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best prayer to God?


The best prayer to God is one that is sincere, humble, and aligns with His will. Jesus taught us how to pray in the Lord's Prayer, which can be found in Matthew 6:9-13. This prayer acknowledges God as our Father, recognizes His holiness, and seeks His kingdom and will above all else. It also asks for daily provision, forgiveness of sins, and protection from temptation.


In addition to the Lord's Prayer, the Bible provides us with many examples of heartfelt prayers. For example, in Psalm 51, David prays for forgiveness and cleansing after his sin with Bathsheba. He acknowledges his wrongdoing and asks God to create a clean heart within him. Similarly, in Philippians 4:6-7, Paul encourages us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, knowing that He will provide peace that surpasses all understanding.


Ultimately, the best prayer to God is one that comes from a genuine heart, seeking His guidance, provision, forgiveness, and protection. It is a prayer that aligns with His Word and desires, and it is offered in faith and humility. As we approach God in prayer, let us remember the words of James 5:16, which says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."


What is prayer?


Prayer is a sacred and powerful act of communication between us and God. It is our way of expressing our thoughts, desires, and needs to our Heavenly Father. In the Bible, prayer is described as a direct line of communication with God, where we can pour out our hearts and seek His guidance and provision.


Prayer is also a means of finding comfort and peace in times of trouble. In Philippians 4:6-7, the apostle Paul encourages believers to bring their anxieties and worries to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. He assures us that when we do so, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to cast our burdens upon the Lord and find rest in His presence.


This is a brief description of prayer. To dig deeper, you can read some of my past blogs on prayer:



How do you pray for healing and restoration?


Praying for healing and restoration is a powerful act of faith that demonstrates our trust in God's ability to bring about miraculous transformation in our lives. It is important to approach this prayer with a humble and surrendered heart, acknowledging our complete dependence on God's mercy and grace. In the book of James, it says, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15).


When we pray for healing and restoration, it is crucial to align our prayers with God's will. We can find comfort and guidance in the words of Jesus when He taught His disciples to pray, saying, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This reminds us that God's plans and purposes are higher than our own, and His timing is perfect. Therefore, we should pray for healing and restoration while surrendering our desires to God's greater wisdom and sovereignty.


Additionally, we can seek inspiration from the example of Jesus Himself, who often prayed for healing and restoration during His earthly ministry. In Mark 1:40-42, we read about a man with leprosy who approached Jesus, saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out His hand and said, "I am willing. Be clean!" Instantly, the man was healed. This teaches us that Jesus is not only able but also willing to bring healing and restoration into our lives. Therefore, we can approach Him in prayer with confidence, knowing that He hears our prayers of faith and desires to bring about miraculous transformation in our bodies, minds, and spirits.

 

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Shawn Paul is an author and missionary who has been living and working in Central America for the past 10 years. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares his expertise in Christianity.


In addition to his missionary work, Shawn enjoys reading books, studying God's Word, growing plants and flowers, feeding birds, and keeping up with the latest technology.


As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. Shawn's goal for the future is to impact people around the world for Jesus through his writing and missionary work.



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