We pray to connect to God.

We fast to disconnect from the world.

Fasting Guidelines:

• Decide the why.
• Decide the what.

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 3:7

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 

James 5:16

. . . confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Acts 12:5-16

While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. 

. . . he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 

. . . “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 

Thank God our doubt doesn’t disqualify us from deliverance.  

Effective prayer is often the response to pressure, prompting or pain.

Psalm 18:6

But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. 

Effective prayer is passionate.

Hebrews 5:7

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God

Effective prayer is persistent

Jonah 2:1

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. 

Effective prayer is in partnership with others.

Matthew 18:19

“. . . If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 

Effective prayer is through the person and power of Jesus Christ.

John 14:13–14

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!