It is imperative for the Christian to be surrendered to the Will of GOD and to be pursuing CHRIST through a relationship to have effective prayers. Without the relationship and full submission, praying outside of GOD’s Will is not going to work.
Let’s look at Daniel: Daniel 10:12 (KJV): Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
So GOD’s ears were open to Daniel from the first day that he began to pursue GOD for answers. And to chasten himself before GOD, meaning coming to the realization he was working against GOD without GOD. A very powerful understanding of the way GOD works.
Also recently someone said it’s not necessary to forgive everyone. Well not so: Mark 11:25: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” You don’t get to pick and choose who you forgive. There is no grading scale on level of sins from “sorta bad” to “forgiveness denied.” So this will be a prayer block and a block to receiving forgiveness from GOD. Without forgiveness then you cannot be like-minded with CHRIST WHO says love your enemies. Forgiveness does not require you to hang out with your abuser, not at all, so forgive.
The Bible even warns husbands that mistreatment of their wives will hinder their prayers. 1 Peter 3:7: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
If you go to Acts, you will read about the seven sons of Sceva, who attempted to go after demons without a relational connection to the LORD. The demons wouldn’t even acknowledge them because of it, and the consequences were severe. So, to be able to pray against evil you want to be known by demons as someone who is in a surrendered relationship with the LORD:
Acts 19:14-16 (KJV): And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
