Effective Prayers: Prayers that move God's heart

By Godwin Arisa

The heart of God is to show much love to those who believe in him as they express their dependence and need for him. It is through right-asking that the heart of God will be proven to you. Effective Prayers – Prayers that move God’s heart is a book about the kind of prayers that will tap into God’s power to change an oppressive

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jan 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647531645

Godwin Arisa

Godwin Arisa has been a servant leader in the church since 1995, the year of his encounter with God in a remarkable way. He has served in various capacities including as worship leader, Deacon (ordained), Vice Chair of Deacons Board, Co-pastor, adult and kids Sunday school teacher, bible study moderator, usher. The depth of his spiritual growth, knowledge and vision often made "Deacon Godwin" a featured speaker on messages from the word of God during Sunday services. As Deacon overseeing the music ministry, Godwin led the work that built and managed the music and worship ministry at his former Church. In 2004 when the church, Anointed Body of Christ (New Name), outgrew its old property at a former Whataburger Restaurant in Dallas, it needed to step out in faith to find a new worship center. With limited funds at hand, the church turned to Deacon Godwin to lead the effort. Leaning on God through prayer, he and his team guided the church to a seller who offered a facility that was beyond the imaginations of our members for its size and financial value when compared to the visible resources of our church. This is still the case nearly fifteen years later. Eventually Deacon Godwin stepped out to serve as co-pastor of a church he co-founded, the International Community Church of the Nazarene, Richardson, Texas. He and his family are currently members of Life Central Church, Plano, Texas. experience in 1995, and subsequent encounters with the love and grace of God continues to fuel a deep awe and passion for who God is, and stands ready to be for anyone who truly depends on Him. Godwin's life often bears this truth, and his love and awe of God is often seen overflowing in his worship during such moments in church services. According to Deacon Godwin, "the very tangible presence of God Almighty is an experience I would not trade for anything else. Prayer often puts me in his presence".

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Effective Prayers

Copyright © 2020 by Godwin Arisa. All rights reserved.

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The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of URLink Print and Media.

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Published in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020900149

ISBN 978-1-64753-163-8 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64753-164-5 (Digital)

02.01.20

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: What Is Prayer?

Chapter 2: Why We Pray

Chapter 3: Frequently Asked Questions On Prayer

Chapter 4: Obstacles To Effective Praying

Chapter 5: Foundation For Prayers That Move God’s Heart

Chapter 6: Contents Of Prayers That Move God’s Heart

Chapter 7: Learning To Pray

Concluding Thoughts On Prayer

FOREWORD

Godwin Arisa walked through the doors of the Abundant Life Church of Plano, Texas and into my heart in the spring of 2007. From that day to this, I have found Godwin to be, without exception, a most sincere and spiritual man. He is first and foremost a true seeker of Christ! What Godwin writes about in this tome is more experiential than theoretical in nature. Rather than postulating upon those spiritual verities he has only heard about; he has chosen to declare to us those foundational truths about The Art of Prayer that he has personally discovered and knows to be true.

Beginning with the most revealing story of how he was first introduced to prayer while just a child witnessing the prayers of his father and the emphasis placed on prayer in his household, Godwin shares with us the story of his lifelong prayer journey. Page by page he carefully uncovers for us the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. Godwin gently encourages us in what we can do by revealing to us what he has done. Because Godwin, though a highly educated man, remains in matters regarding the heart a simple man with a profound faith, he is able to successfully un-complicates for us what many make mysterious. His is a common sense, honest, heartfelt and easy to understand conversation with the reader concerning the role God would have conversation with Him play in our lives.

Although it is possible that you have never heard the name, Godwin Arisa, before today, after reading this true reflection of Godwin’s heart and its’ uncommon communion with God, you will wish you would have. And you will know that the strength of one’s praying is really the best evidence and gauge of the strength of one’s friendship with God!

So, let’s not delay!

Let us get into the meat of Arisa’s epistle to us about our Heavenly Father!

LET’S READ!

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL,

LET’S PRAY!

LET’S PRAY!

LET US PRAY!

Pastor Emeritus, DAN L. RIGDON

PREFACE

I know not everyone will agree, but surely, there comes a time in everyone’s life when the need for God is undeniable. Those are times when your life crosses path with unexpected and unwanted events, and circumstances beyond the abilities of man. In some cases, these events may even threaten to end your very existence here on earth, or completely rob you of the joy of life. Ironically, it is in those times that the potential to experience God in your life is the greatest. Sadly, however, I have seen too many believers yield far too easily to the whatever comes to their life as if they do not know that our God is nearby. They succumb easily to the ravishes of illness, pain, lack, forces that rampage essential relationships and livelihood, and even forces of untimely death. I have cried tears for some of the people I know who have so fallen. Yes, life is short and will go when it will go, but does all life end at their appointed time? Must hardships persist in your life? I don’t think so. I have come to the conclusion that there are many believers who simply do not know how to get a hold of our God in those times when only he can change their fortunes. News flash - Our God specializes in changing lives and fortunes!

So, I am on a mission to sound the trumpet that, through right praying, our God is revealed in times of great need. I see my mission here as an assigned mission - to help you experience God in your life, in a personal way, through right praying. I know He is willing. I have seen God heal me of what tests later showed was Hepatitis B, without me ever taking any medicine for it. I’ve been delivered from Cancer. Been protected from enemies who plotted to take my life, and I did not even know this until after God thwarted their plot, and settled the issue his own amazing way. He has positioned people to provide for me and my family when the bread for tomorrow seemed so uncertain. He continues to amaze me each time when I hear him speak from scripture into any area of my life, and I call upon him in prayer the way he reveals to me. Yes, I and my family’s passion for God and prayer is an experiential product. Those experiences have also come after uncommon revelations from God about himself in relation to those who believe, and as it relates to prayer that touches his heart. Therein is the assignment- to share those revelations with you, certain, that they will impact your life wonderfully as they have mine. I have no doubt that you too will gain your own experiences with him using the tips from this book, leaning on him. God Almighty is awesome, and wants you to see that he is, indeed.

INTRODUCTION

A friend of mine and his wife had long been in much marital struggles, and sick of it, the man began to secretly design a new castle for himself in split-city. With great excitement, he was looking forward to inhabiting it until something happened to stop him in his track. Suddenly, his plan to spring a surprise divorce on his wife came crashing down. Give kudos to his wife’s prayers. Sometime ago, a deadly illness showed up in my life. It terrified and troubled me for quite some time and left me very uncertain of tomorrow. I saw no other option but to search for God and his answer. One morning, following an evening of corporate worship and prayer, I woke sensing a stark difference in the way I felt within. A subsequent medical test would confirm a healing had taken place without the use of any medicines - prayer disrupts an ambush and wins that battle. Death snatched her, and on her way to its never-land she was rescued from it mysteriously as the family prayed - prayer triggers an incredible rescue mission. Hiding out as an alien for over fifteen years from immigration officials due to a standing deportation order. Surprisingly, she was not deported when immigration found her, and they gave no explanation why they didn’t. Prayer mutes the voice of the law, inspires change of heart, and continue to provide a refuge.

Perhaps you have your own stories about miracles of God that have occurred because of prayer, as do many believers who take prayer seriously. If you have not your own story, you may have heard of the stories of other believers. Indeed, there is no area of human need or difficulty where praying people have not reaped the mysterious hand of God as they looked to Him in prayer. Yes, everything you read in this book is about prayer, what prayer is, what is possible through prayer, how you can lean on prayer to forge a winning relationship with God, what makes for prayers that move the heart of God. Though highly underrated, often misinterpreted, scorned and ridiculed by many, misused by some, underused by many, effective prayer remains and will always be a weapon more potent than any other visible or invisible weapon. It possesses no visible blaring guns, jet fighters, or bombs. Yet it has brought down mighty men and nations. Armies have been defeated or sent fleeing by prayer. Darkness of all kinds often recedes to its rightful place as prayer advancees with the awesome light of God. Deadly illnesses and incurable diseases have vanished suddenly from the bodies of believers who prayed or were prayed for by others who believe in prayer. Demons have packed up their bags and fled from a life they tormented at will as prayer unleashed forces more fearsome than they. Failure and defeat of all kinds that once seemed certain even in the eyes of others have themselves been utterly defeated by the forces galvanized by prayer. What can effective prayer do?

The answer is: It sets in motion the works of God that will change anything that may seem unchangeable in the eyes of man. Approached the right way, prayer draws in the power of God that defeats the works of the devil, whatever they may be. Through effective praying, outcomes which lie beyond the known means, capabilities and current circumstances of the believer are attained.

But what is prayer, or more importantly, what is prayer that moves God’s heart to change oppressive earthly realities? Why is prayer so ignored even by those who know about prayer and the potential in it? Do prayers really work? Is there a best place to pray? When should you pray? How does a person learn how to pray? Are there any helpful tips to prayers that moves the heart of God? This book will answer these questions and shed light on the phenomenon of effective praying. I do not know for sure what you will gain from this book. What each person gains from it will be sculpted by their own desires and/or openness for God Almighty in his/her life. I pray that this book will give you greater insight into prayer that tugs at the heart of God, and equip you to pray more effectively. My hope is that for all who read this book, it will strengthen their faith in prayer and in its power, and renew their love for the God who reveals his wondrous side through right-prayer. Whatever you gain from this book on prayer, to God Almighty alone be the glory, forever.

CHAPTER 1

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Generally, it used to be that when people think of effective prayer, an image of a holy person uttering big, flashy, sacred words to God with eyes closed, pops up in their head. While spoken words and a life that is respectful of God are essential to effective prayer, it is not unattainable, nor complicated. Prayer that moves the heart of God is a verbal or silent communication from the heart, and the head of a believer to God Almighty, done in your own way but drawing from, (1) what you are sure is true about God and you, in relation to where you find yourself (2) the inputs and influence of the Holy Spirit. It is a Holy Spirit-triggered communication emerging from a believer to God Almighty. Its focus maybe your fears, ambitions, threatening life situations, circumstances, anxieties, or anything else for which you need God’s assistance/intervention in reaching uncommon solutions that are beyond the reach of your abilities and current circumstance. This is my definition of prayer, and I’ll share with you reasons I believe this to be a sound way of defining prayer. I think it best to do so by examining the key elements of this definition of prayer.

The first thing to know about prayer is that it is a verbal or non-verbal communication from you to God. Because God is an Omni-present being (everywhere at every time) He is able to hear your silent communication to him. There is no place where the Almighty God isn’t always present. This is one of the big differences between prayer offered to God and most other communication. Without verbalized words or understandable symbols, most ordinary communication is not easily decoded by their receivers. Their meaning is often misinterpreted. Only the Omni-present God is able to decode silent communications from his children. Hence the believer can still pray to God in those times and places where verbal prayer is not conducive or a wise thing to do. The believer should note however that verbal prayer is a requirement when the content of its communication is directed not to God alone, but also to supplant or ward off activities of forces of the spiritual kingdom of darkness and evil. Those forces are not Omni present, and do not reside inside the believer (except by invitation) so as to discern your thoughts and plans. As a result, your prayer directed at impacting the activities of negative spiritual agents must be communicated in a mode they can receive and decode. Verbal communication by words is that mode. This is also the reason meditation is a powerful tool for stirring heavenly resources of God Almighty on your behalf because His Spirit lives within the believer who have opened the door of their heart and mind to him.

The second element of our definition of prayer is that it should come from the heart and the head. That is, it should bear evidence of how you feel about God in relation to you. The importance of the heart in prayer is that it is the seat of the person that you are at any time. The real you are often evidenced by what is in your heart which you may or not let anybody know of it. It is essential to note that in the absence of the heart, there can be no lasting or meaningful relationship with anyone or thing. Communication to God is done within the context of an existing or intended relationship with him. Any relationship that does not include the immersing or giving of the heart to each other and to the relationship is doomed to being much less than fulfilling at best. Most of the time, it ends up being a heart-ache for those involved in it. God Almighty desires, first and foremost, a meaningful relationship with everyone as the cornerstone of a richly rewarding life with him. It is for this reason that He looks first and only to the heart when He looks at anyone because - The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart – 1Samuel, 16:7 (NIV). Especially, when you pray to God, it is your heart that God will hear first, not your words. Think of it for a moment and imagine how you will feel when someone you are certain does not care about you comes talking to you about doing him/her a favor? Forget it, is your response, isn’t it, even if you do not say it out loud. Are you not inclined to at least being skeptical as to what their motives are? You know, there is a lot of God in you. While He will never turn away anyone who come calling on him in truth, he is equally prone to be skeptical of anyone who comes to him seeming to profess that their heart is where it isn’t. It is what is in the heart of the believer with respect to God Almighty that gives elevated Spiritual status to your prayer. A heart that is right with regards to God will bring forth what is in it during prayer because it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speaks – Matthew 12:34 (KJV).

The role of the head in prayer is that it holds what you know to be true of God as an asset for the Holy Spirit during prayer, as He helps you organize your thoughts in prayer. New believers who are still learning about God and the things of God will find that they rely more on the head in prayer. This is very normal. The head tends to be less intrusive in prayer as you grow and mature in your walk with God. In our discussion on foundations of prayers that move God’s heart, you will learn of role of the Holy Spirit in it.

Prayer is to God Almighty. Imagine that for a moment. Upon true reflection, it is a marvel that man is allowed audience with the holy and Almighty God through prayer. This is true in spite of the fact that there is nothing that man has or can do that will ever have an impact on the existence or the being of God in anyway. It is man that needs God. Hence, the recognition of the kind of being to whom your prayer is communicated has a bearing on the approach to prayer. Rather than casual stance of heart and attitude, respect, honor, and reverence become the guide to the approach to prayer. Although you will find that God Almighty is able to be a friend and more, his being and nature instructs that we come to him with highest honor and respect that can be given to anything by man. Times of prayer present you with the opportunity and the platform to do so.

The next element in my definition of prayer is that your prayer should be expressed in your own way. This is what God expects you to do. It is important to keep this in mind because far too often the desire is to impress others who may someday hear you pray. To some, this may cause them to try to imitate or copy wholly the prayer, or prayer format of other people. There is nothing wrong with learning from those who have grown in their prayer ways as long as it does not make you to be like a robot in the way you pray. The believer should keep in mind that it is not how well you pray but the nature of the place from which your prayer originates, your heart. Besides, God knows who he made you to be or who you have become in him. He cannot be impressed with or by anything from you that is foreign to who he made you to be. Hence, if you are soft-spoken by nature, be that also in your prayer, except the Holy Spirit drives it otherwise. If you are bold in nature, let it show in your prayer and communication to God. If you are a doubter, let God see you as you are when you pray. The point about expressing your prayer in your own way is that it speaks to the genuineness of your heart. Because your heart is what God sees and hears, anything from the heart that is a façade, or an imposter of the real you are apt to be seen from a far by the all-knowing and Almighty God. When communicating prayer in your own way, your fears, feelings, emotions, thoughts, life situations, circumstances, anxieties, or anything else for which you need help, are apt to be communicated genuinely from the heart. God loves to see you this way, just as you are.

The last element of my definition of prayer is that it draws from what you already know about God, and tap into the inputs of the Holy Spirit. These two elements are so crucial to prayer that we will not discuss them here in detail. The role of what you know to be true of God and how the Holy Spirit gets involved with prayer are covered in detail in the chapter on foundations of prayers that move God’s heart.

CHAPTER 2

WHY WE PRAY

Tangible Reasons

There is a reason for everything you do. This is more so if you do it repeatedly. It may be a subconscious reason, or, it may be a conscious one. One of the subconscious reasons for prayer is that some time ago, usually at a very young age, someone taught you that prayer is important. Believing this, you developed a life of prayer. Many believers came to prayer this way. I know this because that list includes my name. I was born to Christian parents who would do nothing without praying first. They would not step out of the house to go anywhere or eat a meal without, first, praying. In fact, for I and my siblings, travelling with my dad was, sometimes, not much fun because he would make us sing with him and pray the whole time on the road. You would have very little time to fall asleep in the car or just enjoy the scenery of the travel. Prayer was so important to my parents that