(Inspired by a sermon by Lon Solomon — listen here: Lon Solomon Ministries)
Introduction
Do you want to learn how to have effective prayer? A sermon by Pastor Lon Solomon completely changed the way I approach prayer. When I began applying the principles, I was astonished at how God began answering prayers in ways I had never experienced before.
Do you ever wonder why you feel like your prayers are just hitting the ceiling? Wouldn’t you like to experience effective prayer? Pastor Lon compared prayer to fishing: a successful fisherman studies the habits and nature of the fish and positions himself according to the rules the fish live by. Likewise, if we want to tap into the power of God, we must align our prayers with His nature and His ways. Otherwise, we may as well be fishing in a bathtub.
The Bible gives us powerful tools to position ourselves to have God’s ear. And from experience, I know they work!
1. Pray with clean hands and a pure heart
God is holy. If we want to stand in His presence, we must come with purity of heart and a repentant spirit.
“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3–5
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Psalm 66:18
Sin in our lives clogs the channel of prayer. Pastor Lon called this process “Roto-Rootering the spiritual pipes of your heart.” If you sense distance between yourself and God, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Whatever He brings to mind—confess and repent.
Make David’s prayer your own:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me…and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23–24
When our heart is pure, we experience the powerful presence of God in our prayers.
2. Pray with a forgiving heart.
Nothing stifles prayer like unforgiveness. Jesus was blunt:
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25–26
Unforgiveness is like salting the soil of your heart—it makes it barren, so nothing good grows. Roman Emperor Hadrian tried to destroy Jerusalem by ploughing it under and sowing salt on the ground to ensure nothing would ever sprout again. That’s exactly what happens when we cling to unforgiveness. It breeds bitterness and cuts off our fruitfulness.
If we want our prayers to flourish, we must forgive freely. After all, God has forgiven us for more sin than anyone will ever commit against us.
3. Pray in faith—believing.
Faith and believing are connected, but they are not the same thing. Faith is a gift—the settled trust and confidence in who God is; believing is the active choice to apply that faith to a specific promise or situation.
Faith is a supernatural gift from God—a revelation that comes not from human reasoning but from the Spirit of God. When Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus told him, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16–17) That revelation was faith. But belief is when Peter put that faith to work—stepping out of the boat and walking on the water toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29) Faith gave him the supernatural conviction of who Jesus was; belief was the active response. We can criticize Peter for the fact that his belief wavered, but some folks never even get out of the boat.
In the same way, many times we never get out of the boat to engage in powerful prayer that flows by exercising the faith God gives us through believing prayers. Jesus said:
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22
Doubt is so dangerous—it interrupts the bridge between faith and believing.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6–7
To pray without believing God will answer is to dishonor God, as if He were indifferent, powerless, or unconcerned. When my son was young, if he had asked me for food as if I didn’t care, wasn’t able, or was too busy, it would have broken my heart. How much more must it grieve our Father when we doubt His love, power, or care for us!
Belief doesn’t mean dictating outcomes; it means asking boldly while trusting God to answer according to His will. He doesn’t want our excuses or our “Plan B.” He simply calls us to trust Him. And when we do, we ALWAYS discover that He answers in ways “far beyond what we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20
4. Pray with God’s glory as your motive.
Oswald Chambers reminded us that the highest motive in prayer is not our comfort, but God’s glory.
“I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
When God’s glory becomes the motive of our requests, He moves. James warned, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) This is the great power-suck of the prosperity gospel!
It doesn’t mean we can’t pray for needs like health, provision, or relationships. It means we align those prayers with the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. For example:
- Pray for healing—so God’s power is displayed.
- Pray for provision—so God’s faithfulness is magnified.
- Pray for restored relationships—so God’s reconciliation is seen.
When our prayers shift from being self-centered to becoming God-centered, we are no longer fishing in the bathtub. We are casting the line into the exact place God delights to bless.
When we align with God, our prayers are a conduit of His power.
So ask yourself: Am I keeping my heart clean? Am I forgiving others freely? Am I praying with belief or with doubt? And most importantly, am I praying for God’s glory?
Reflection Thought
Powerful prayer begins when we align our hearts with God’s holiness, forgive as He forgives, believe without wavering, and seek His glory above our own.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Search my heart and cleanse me from sin that blocks Your power. Help me forgive freely, just as You have forgiven me. Teach me to pray with faith, believing that You are able to do far more than I can ask or imagine. And may every prayer I offer bring glory to Your name, not mine. Shape me into a prayer warrior who lives for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
