Effective Prayer: A Torah Perspective, Part II
Often in preparation for effective prayer we see prayer and fasting coupled together. In Acts 13:2-3, the early church in Antioch is described as a community of believers who are worshiping Yahuah and fasting. During this time, the Holy Spirit instructs them to set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work that they are called to do. Following this divine guidance, the church members pray, lay hands on them, and send them off on their mission. This passage highlights the importance of prayer, fasting, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer, coupled with fasting, as an effective way to pray is evident throughout both Old and New Testament writings. In Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas employed prayer and fasting in appointing elders for the church.
Exodus 34:28 mentions that Moses neither ate bread nor drank water while he was on Mt Sinai for an additional 40 days1 receiving the covenant. The Prophet Ezra declared a fast for himself and the people as they prayed for a safe journey back to Jerusalem from Babylon. (Ezra 8:21-23)
After hearing of the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah mourns and fasts, then prays for the repentance of Israel’s sins and for restoration of the scattered nation. (Nehemiah 1)
In addition to humbling through fasting and prayer, here other important prerequisites for effective prayer that are important to study and consider:
- Repentance of Sins (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 66:18)
- Faith and Trust in Yah (Hebrews 11:6, James 1:6, Proverbs 3:5-6)
- Obedience to Yahuah’s Torah (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and 1 John 3:22 “And we receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.”)
- Forgiveness (Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”)
- Persistence and Perseverance (Luke 18:1) “Pray and never give up”; and (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray continually.”
- Righteousness (James 5:1) “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
- Eliminating Distractions (James 5:16) “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The Importance of Purification and Cleanliness
Throughout the scriptures, we are encouraged to maintain a state of cleanliness and purity, reflecting the nature of the Most High and His Son. The following verses highlight the profound connection between spiritual purity and the effectiveness of our prayers.
Psalm 24:3-4: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”
Isaiah 1:15-16: “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.”
James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Did you know that scripture indicates that if we do not keep Yahuah’s commandments our prayers are an abomination to him?
Proverbs 28:9 – “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, Even his prayer is an abomination.”
Here are a few other supporting verses:
Psalm 66: 18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me.”
Proverbs 15:8 – The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: But the prayers of the upright is his delight.”
Zechariah 7:11-13 – “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear. They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the Lord of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from theLord of Hosts. Just as He had called, and they would not listen, so when they called, I would not listen,” says the Lord of Hosts.”
Isaiah 1:15 – “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of Blood!”
Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins havehidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
Micah 3:4 – “Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At thattime he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.”
John 9:31 – “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godlyperson who does his will.”
1 Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
So believers can now see, effective prayer involves:
1. Repentance of Sins and the Acceptance of the Gospel of Yahusha Messiah’s death, burial, resurrection, His esteem title as the Son of Yahuah, His esteem and honor as the High Melchizedek priest in heaven sitting at the right hand of the father interceding on our behalf.
2. Faith and Trust in Yahuah and His son Yahusha
3. Cleanliness (Ensuring One Isn’t Unclean or Defiled)
4. Obedience to God’s Commands
5. Forgiveness of others who have sinned against us
6. Striving to live a Righteous life: Remember don’t ever let anyone tell you can’t be righteous, because to say we can’t achieve a righteous walk would be declaring Yahuah a liar. And we know that Yahuah does not lie and that he is not asking his children to do something impossible.
7. Fasting in Humility
8. Eliminating Distractions and focusing on Yahuah when we pray, as we persist and persevere through our prayer life. “Pray Continually” — (a) Praying aloud, not just in our minds (b) Praying through song as David did may be another effective method.
The Impact of Effective Prayer on Our Lives
Effective prayer is important to believers because it ensures that our prayers and petitions to Yahuah are aligned with His will. We all should all strive for our prayers to be sincere and meaningful, rather than selfish, prideful, misguided, angry, vengeful, or disconnected from Yah’s plan. It is essential to remember that Yah has given us the beautiful gift of choice, often referred to as free will. By focusing on effective prayer, we can deepen our relationship with Him and seek to fulfill His purposes in our lives. Amein!
“But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahuah, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family (my house), we will worship Yahweh.”
Joshua 24:15
So, we do indeed have a choice.
Keeping the freedom to make choices in mind, it’s clear that we pray because we desire something; we seek a solution or relief from our problems. Mature believers recognize the importance of praying in alignment with the Father’s will and in a righteous manner. This means we should avoid asking for material possessions out of selfishness. For example, it’s perfectly reasonable for a family to pray for a larger home if their current living space is no longer adequate due to growth. However, this request differs significantly from seeking a bigger house out of vanity or covetousness.
Keeping the freedom to make choices in mind, it’s clear that we pray because we desire something; we seek a solution or relief from our problems. Mature believers recognize the importance of praying in alignment with the Father’s will and in a righteous manner. This means we should avoid asking for material possessions out of selfishness. For example, it’s perfectly reasonable for a family to pray for a larger home if their current living space is no longer adequate due to growth. However, this request differs significantly from seeking a bigger house out of vanity or covetousness.
Yahuah knows our hearts and our needs, Amein!
Recall the petitions that Avraham made on behalf of the city of Sodom, as he bargained with Yahuah regarding the destruction of that wicked city. He pleaded that if Yah could find just ten righteous people, He would spare it. Avraham could have chosen to remain silent, but instead, he voiced his concerns, and Yahuah heard his petitions, considered them, and agreed to the terms. It was not counted against Avraham as sin for asking.
Ultimately, however, ten righteous people were not found, and the city was still destroyed. Yet, Avraham’s heart of compassion drove him to intercede, and Yahuah listened and responded to his pleas. Likewise, Moses wrestled with Yah and interceded on behalf of the children of Israel as we read earlier in Exodus 32:11-14. Hallelujah!
Another more important reason we should desire to have an effective prayer life, is simply to foster a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father.
When we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to Yahuah and His Son, Yahusha, and discipline ourselves to follow Yahuah’s Torah—His Laws, Commands, and Instructions—without hesitation, we commit to serving Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In doing so, we will see positive results: our prayers will be heard and be effective in our lives and in the lives of the people we pray for. Our prayers will be more effective in opposing evil spirits, powers, and principalities that we pray against, as well as in seeking protection and deliverance from them. Halleluyah!
A note of caution: please don’t mistake the intent of this study or misinterpret scripture. I’m not implying that every request we make in prayer will be granted, nor am I promoting any false prosperity gospel ideas. Even Paul prayed for healing from his ailment, but he accepted that the answer was no, demonstrating maturity and faith in accepting Yahuah’s decisions.
I am not implying that we won’t face persecution, stress, danger, or even death. Stephen, the first martyr, lived righteously and had what I would consider an effective prayer life, yet he still died for his faith. However, look at what his death inspired. Look at the example he set by giving forgiveness toward those who murdered him. Stephen is notably remembered for his ultimate sacrifice for the faith. His actions emboldened Christians to standfast in the face of persecutions and for centuries has inspired believers to fear no men and to stand for truth no matter what.
Remember, always pray that Yahuah’s will be done in all things. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes prayers are answered in many miraculous ways.
Examples of Effective Prayer
Let’s be honest, answered prayer in today’s world seldom makes it onto the evening news. They are likely never reported or are buried on purpose because the enemy – Ha’Satan – wants believers to remain uninformed, weak, and ineffective in their spiritual and prayer life. The evil one does not want us praying for healing of one another, he does not want us casting out demons, and he does not want us to raise the dead. But these prayers are answered today. Here are a few instances I have found of prayers being answered in amazing ways:
Miraculous Provision
George Müller was a Christian evangelist and the director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England. He is known for his unwavering faith and reliance on prayer. Müller never asked for financial support, but instead, he prayed for God to provide for the needs of the orphanage. One famous story recounts how, one morning, there was no food for the children. Müller prayed, and shortly after, a baker knocked on the door with enough bread to feed everyone. Then, a milkman whose cart had broken down nearby offered the milk to the orphanage, ensuring the children had a complete meal.
Miraculous Resurrection
In 2001, Nigerian pastor Daniel Ekechukwu was declared dead after a car accident. His body was taken to a mortuary, where it remained for two days. His wife, believing in the power of prayer, insisted on taking his body to a church where Reinhard Bonnke was preaching. After intense prayer, Daniel reportedly came back to life, astonishing doctors and witnesses.
Miraculous Recovery
In 2015, John Smith, a teenager from Missouri, fell through ice and was underwater for 15 minutes. He was declared dead for over an hour. His mother, Joyce, prayed fervently at his bedside, and miraculously, his heart started beating again. Despite the grim prognosis, John made a full recovery, which doctors could not explain.
Miraculous Healing
Barbara Snyder was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was in the final stages of the disease. She was bedridden and had lost the ability to breathe on her own. After receiving prayer from her church community, she experienced a sudden and complete healing. She was able to walk and breathe without assistance, leaving her doctors baffled.
Miracles Witnessed by Early Catholic Missionaries in Africa
In the early 20th century, Catholic missionaries in Africa often reported miraculous events among the local tribes. One notable account involves missionaries who shared the Gospel with a tribe, teaching them about Jesus’ miracles. When the missionaries returned months later, they found the tribe practicing what they had learned—casting out demons, healing the sick, and even raising the dead. However, the missionaries, unfamiliar with such manifestations, discouraged these practices, fearing they were forms of local magic.
John G. Lake, a missionary to South Africa in the early 1900s, documented numerous miracles, including healings and resurrections. Lake’s ministry was marked by extraordinary events, such as the healing of the sick and casting out of demons, which resonated deeply with the local African communities.
As we can see, Yahuah still answers prayers. These prayers were certainly effective because they involved, steadfast faith, belief in the power of Yahuah, and were coupled with a righteous walk.
Preacher Charles Spurgeon had this to say about the nature of prayer:
“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.”
Author E.M. Bounds believed that:
“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.”
Brothers and sisters, seek guidance and effective prayer examples from the Scriptures. We are to be mimickers of Yahusha. We know Yahusha mimics the Father in heaven and does all things according to His will. Yahusha followed the examples set in the Torah and the Prophets, and we should do the same in our prayer life and approach to prayer.
We should equip ourselves for effective prayers in various circumstances, as highlighted in several passages above. This is especially important concerning spiritual warfare and other significant matters. We should all routinely engage in prayer, fasting, maintaining cleanliness, purification, and humility. We can metaphorically wear sackcloth and ashes by publicly and visibly demonstrating deep remorse, humility, and a sense of mourning and deep anguish in our prayers to our Heavenly Father. Many of us understand this connection to the Day of Atonement, and we see above it applies in a multitude of dire situations.
Hopefully you can see why striving for an effective prayer life is important to us, the lives of those around us, and to our connection to Yahusha and our heavenly Father Yahuah.
The main thing I hope and pray is that we all keep working and striving for an effective prayer life, to be the light to the world that Yahuah has called us to be as his children. If we pray and it seems like our prayers aren’t being heard or answered, may we never give up, may we keep striving to prays as the prophets prayed, as Yahusha prayed, and keep turning back to the Scriptures for guidance in achieving this goal of effective prayers.
Never give up, keep trying, and remain persistent. The Scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing. All day, every day, all the time! Halleluyah, and Amein!
Lastly, recall at the beginning of this study I ask you to write down in your study notes a list of your current prayers, and specifically how you are saying the prayer to Yah. Now, having considered the topics covered in this study, revisit those prayers and determine how you might reword the prayers to be more effective. But most importantly, consider what preparations you should do first before presenting your petition to the Father more effectively.
Prayers are answered today, all the time, all around the world, and we must keep trying, keep praying, keep petitioning Yahuah, in fear, respect, faith, and in patience – never doubting. We must always pray in accordance with His will. May Yahuah’s will be done in all things even when we don’t understand.
Thank you for honoring me by reading through this study. I hope it has blessed you and that it helps in your pursuit of achieving a more effective prayer life. All glory and honor be to the Most-High Yahuah!
“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! “And you shalllove יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Shalom.
Footnotes
1 In Exodus 24:18, it states that Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights when he received the tablets of the law. Adding these two periods together gives a total of 80 days of fasting: 40 days from Exodus 24:18 and 40 days from Exodus 34:28.
