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The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much...James 5;16 KJV.

The Word of God tells us how we should pray, why we should pray and, most importantly, the condition our hearts should be in when we pray. Additionally, the Bible tells us what to expect when those conditions are met. Since the article title refers to 'principle', let us examine several of them, shall we? After all, there are certainly more than one to consider where effective prayer to the Almighty is concerned!

How to know our prayer is effective:

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, we are instructed in the HOW of prayer,...the principles, so to speak. Jesus taught the Apostles the Our Father (Matthew 6;9 KJV) and, although we are not merely to repeat words which for us hold no real meaning, we take this prayer as, you might say, an outline, and follow it using words of our own to express1) our adoration,...Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, 2) our faith in his sovereignty,...Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven, 3) our trust in his continual provision,...Give us this day our daily bread.4) our receipt of his wonderful mercy,...And, forgive us our debts (sins), as we forgive our debtors. 5) our belief in his constant protection,...And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Note: one of the conditions of an effectual prayer is the forgiveness of others. Unforgiveness has the power to hinder our prayers, often rendering them ineffective. (Matthew 6;15)

How to know our prayer is fervent:

There are so many reasons for prayer and so many kinds of prayer. Yet, no kind of prayer prayed for any reason at all is worth a whoop if it fails to pass the fervency test! To be fervent, a prayer to God must be well thought through and the answer deeply desired. Hotly pursued! It must kindle the flame of compassion in him so as to make him certain YOU are certain about that which you are praying! Do you really desire that healing, madam? That new home for your family, sir? That acceptance into that Ivy League school, young man or, woman? God knows you have need of many things. He has a mind and desire to provide them. Still, he wants you to know just what it is you are asking and, if you are up to the task of holding onto it and all that goes with it, once it becomes yours!

Of course, the MOST fervent kind of prayer is that of the "supplication". Where the prayer

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