Life has a way of throwing us a curveball when we least expect it. Sometimes we’re caught by surprise by things we don’t like to deal with, such as sickness, pain, and suffering. This can happen to anyone, but not everyone deals with adversity the same way. We can either struggle with the situation on our own, or pray and ask God for help.

Praying correctly involves speaking God’s language by declaring His Word over our situation. Prayer should be based on the finished works of Jesus Christ. It’s not about begging God to do what He’s already done, but about agreeing with Him and thanking Him for it. Praying the solution, instead of the problem, releases much more power. “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2, NLT).

True prayer is a heartfelt, one-on-one conversation with God, which is something the world knows nothing about. When we pray, we have an opportunity to commune with Him and stand in His presence. God loves us, and wants to give us what we ask Him for in the same way parents want to grant the requests their children make. “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9-11).

Prayerfully asking God for something is perfectly acceptable, but religion has incorrectly taught us to ask meekly. If we’ve been born again, we’ve become His sons and daughters. As His children, we have the right to confidently come into His presence. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Our own children don’t hesitate to come to us if they need something; this should be especially true concerning our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Prayer based on religion produces no results. There’s no need to shout or repeat the same thing over and over—God isn’t deaf. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:7, 8). When we ask Him to intervene on our behalf, He’s happy to oblige. A sincere prayer from the heart is all that’s needed.

Confidently approaching God empowers our prayers. Believing we’ve already received what we pray for is based on our confidence level. When we pray out of belief, not doubt, God honors our request. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24, NKJV). The more we study His Word, the greater our confidence level will be when it comes to discerning His will for us.

God’s plans for us are overwhelmingly good. This knowledge fills our prayer lives with joy and thankfulness. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). When we learn to speak His language of love, we’ll discover this for ourselves.

For more on effective prayer, click on the link below for the four-message series, The Contrast: Self-Effort vs. Rest