The Power of Prayer

By Samuel Olamilekan

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Chapter One: Understanding the Purpose of Prayer

A believer must understand that prayer, beyond being a communication with God, is also a means of
sacrifice. God delights greatly in the sacrifices of men. In fact, the life of a good Christian cannot be
defined apart from sacrifice.

Jesus gave us a pattern for living a successful Christian life in Matthew 6. He said, “When you pray,” “When
you fast,” “When you give.” These three spiritual disciplines can only be done sacrificially.

An angel told Cornelius in Acts 10:4 that his prayers and almsgiving had ascended as a memorial before
God. That is sacrifice.

Prayer is also a means of building spiritual capacity. Jude 1:20 reveals that a man who prays in the Holy
Ghost is building himself up spiritually. By doing this, he can easily put his flesh under subjection.

The Bible says in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you would.” There is a constant
fight between the flesh and the Spirit. But when you pray in the Spirit, you begin to defeat the desires of
the flesh.
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Chapter Two: The Powers of Prayer

As you journey with me in this section, I will show you some powerful ways to receive speedy responses
from God through prayer.

1. Consistency

The first thing that guarantees answers to prayers is consistency. Many scriptures reveal that answers
come when a person is persistent in asking and seeking.

Luke 18:1 – “And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to
faint.”

Jesus told of a woman who went to a wealthy man who did not fear God, seeking help. He would not have
helped her, but because of her continual asking, he granted her request just for peace of mind. Shall your
holy Father in heaven not provide for your needs if you cry to Him day and night?

Consistency shows how much we trust and believe in God—that He is able to provide whatever we ask.
However, after receiving what you want from God, you are not expected to stop praying. This proves that
you seek the Lord not just for what He can offer, but because He is God. When you value His presence and
not just His blessings, He will bless you even more.

2. Righteousness

If a person’s life is not defined by righteousness, they cannot receive anything from God, because God
does not hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). How then can He answer a prayer He doesn’t hear?

The Bible clearly states that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their
prayers (1 Peter 3:12). If you want a successful prayer life, strive to stand right before God by keeping His
commandments and avoiding every appearance of evil.

Do not let iniquity create a separation between you and your God (Isaiah 59:2).

3. Faith

Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

The Bible says, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you” (Matthew 7:7). But a person can never receive from
God without faith. James 1:6 says, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a
wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

This kind of faith is unshakable. If you do not doubt, you will certainly receive from the Lord.

4. Purpose

Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you.”

However, James tells us why some may ask and not receive:
James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your
lusts.”

If the purpose of your request is not to glorify God but only to satisfy your desires, there is a high
probability you won’t receive anything from the Lord. You are not praying according to His will. Ask for
things that contribute to the expansion of His Kingdom on earth and watch Him answer speedily.

5. Diligence

Being diligent in prayer means being determined not to give up until you achieve your desired result. The
Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Seeking God's face in prayer requires diligence: removing distractions, preparing your heart, and staying
until He shows up.

6. Covenant

1 Samuel 1:10–11 tells us about Hannah, who prayed earnestly and wept bitterly before the Lord:

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid
and remember me, and not forget Your handmaid, but will give unto Your handmaid a man child, then I
will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life…”

God granted her request not just because she prayed, but because she made a covenant.

Sometimes, we need to make heartfelt covenants with God for Him to act. Psalm 50:5 says, “Gather My
saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Once, I was consistently praying for admission into the university. Though I had the qualifications, I didn’t
know what was causing the delay. I eventually made a covenant with God, saying: “Lord, if You grant me
admission, I’ll use the opportunity to establish Your Kingdom in the university by preaching the gospel.” It
was as if He had been waiting for that. Soon after, I was admitted.

7. Violence

This may sound strange, but one of the greatest powers of prayer is violence.

Matthew 11:12 – “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent take it by force.”

The devil has positioned principalities and powers to hinder your prayer life, making the flesh weak even
though the spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41). To overcome this, you must pray violently.

In Mark 10:47–49, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus. Though people tried to stop him,
he cried out even louder. That is an example of violent prayer. There are people possessed by the devil
trying to silence your prayer life—cry out even more!

8. Unity

Another power of prayer is unity—people coming together with one mindset to achieve a goal.

Prayers made in unity can easily move the hand of God. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are
gathered in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Acts 12:5 shows how Peter was imprisoned but released because of the united prayers of the church.

Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they
ask, it shall be done for them by My Father which is in heaven.”

Start praying with other believers and you will experience powerful breakthroughs.

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Chapter Three: Meditation—Listening in Prayer

Lastly, the most important aspect of prayer is meditation. This is simply waiting to hear from the Lord in
the quietness of your soul and body.

Habakkuk 2:1 – “I will stand upon my watch and set myself on the tower, and will watch to see what He
will say unto me…”

In this verse, the prophet is no longer praying—he is waiting to hear from God. You cannot receive
direction if you don’t make time to hear Him.

As you meditate, God may speak to you through His Word. This is why it is important to meditate on the
Word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8).
I pray that may the Lord grant u the grace to pray effectively the name of Jesus.
About the Author

Samuel Olamilekan is a passionate believer, student, and teacher of God’s Word. He is deeply committed
to inspiring others to build a deeper and more effective prayer life, especially among young Christians. His
walk with God is defined by sacrifice, diligence, and a strong desire to see God's Kingdom established
wherever he goes.

He is currently a student at Kwara State University and actively involved in preaching the gospel and
encouraging fellow believers in campus fellowships and beyond.

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