
Scriptural principles of prayer will bring about an accurate
prayer life. Accuracy produces results. Charles Finney wrote
in one of his memorandums: “I have had some experiences in
prayer of late that have alarmed me.” I thought about that for
a while. I realized I hadn’t really had any prayer experiences
that were “alarming.” I made the decision to get involved in
my prayer life like he did. As my prayer life deepened, I began
to have some awesome experiences.
When you are accurate in your prayer life, you are operating
out of your spirit rather than just your mind. Your spiritual ears
are open to the voice of God. Train yourself not to make a move
without listening to the Spirit of God. He is the intercessor. You
are the mouthpiece. “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” (Romans 8:26). If you never attempt
to be accurate in prayer, you will never be sure about the
results. You’ll just be hoping for something to happen.
The coming of the Holy Spirit changed the whole perspective
of prayer. This is a key to accuracy. Jesus said,
And in that day [after the Holy Spirit comes] ye shall ask
me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever
ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye
shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have
I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh,
when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I
shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall
ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray
the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you,
because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came
out from God (John 16:23-27).
Pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name. Jesus endorses your
prayer. With His Name, you are given free access to the
throne of God. You short-circuit the system when you make
your requests to Jesus. He said to pray this way: “Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” (Luke 11:2). If
you want Jesus to endorse your prayer, you need to pray to
the Father in His Name.
