Hello great steemians 
Jesus’ disciples struggled with the concept of seeking and finding and opening up spiritual doors. You see, prayer takes on a whole new dimension when you have Jesus with you every day. That is why Jesus’ disciples did not fast. However, Jesus, who was God, still prayed. The disciples realized if Jesus with all of His power and authority still needed to pray, how much more they needed to pray. So they came to Him and said, Teach us to pray.
The full benefit of prayer comes only as "The Principles Of Prayer"are observed...
a. Principles laid down by Jesus and His inspired apostles
b. Principles that determine the final outcome of our prayers
One of the greatest blessings enjoyed by Christians in this life is the privilege of PRAYER, by which we can approach God a. Through prayer, the Christian can find FORGIVENESS for sins - 1Jn 1:9
b. Through prayer, the Christian can find PEACE to replace anxiety - Php 4:6-7
c. Through prayer, the Christian can receive STRENGTH from God through His Spirit - Ep 3:14-16
PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER
By faith we reach out to claim what we need and we thereby create the reality of it in our life.
1. Decide what you want and need from God.
James 1:6-8,KJV:But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.A double minded man is unstable in all his ways
1. Plant the seed by confessing it
2. Allow it to incubate- needs time
3. Harvest- the answer. Expect the harvest.
The normal process and pray believe incubate warfare and manifestation- giving birth to the prayers, then manifestation. Use your faith and confess with your mouth. Release your faith with your confession.
2. Find the promises that answer your need.
3. Ask God for what you need.
Matthew 7:7-8 Don’t give up. Refuse to allow doubt and fear to enter your mind to choke out your faith. You must guard your thoughts. You can control your mind and thoughts by the word of God. By quoting it to yourself.
4. Believe you receive.
Mark 11:23-24 Kjv For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
5. Refuse to doubt-
James 4:7KJV:Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
6. Meditate on the promises- Proverbs 4:20-22
7. Give God the praise- Philippians 4:6
II. OBSTACLES TO PRAYER
A. UNCONFESSED SIN...
1. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear" - Ps 66:18
2. The BASIS for prayer rests upon our being in fellowship with Him; such fellowship is broken if we do not confess our sins to Him!
B. IMPROPER TREATMENT OF OTHERS...
1. How we treat others has a bearing upon whether God will hear our prayers! a. E.g., how we treat the poor - Ps 41:1-3
b. E.g., how one treats his friend - Mt 5:23-24
c. E.g., how a husband treats his wife - 1Pe 3:7
2. We must correct our relationships with others (if possible) before we can expect God to hear our prayers! 3. Especially if we desire to receive forgiveness for our sins! - Mt 6:14-15 ; 18:21-23
Jesus gave us the model prayer on Lord’s Prayer. Some principles: (Matthew 6:5-13):
1. Praise- Praise God first. Our Father, who art in heaven.
2. Putting God first- Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3. Daily prayer and provision- Give us this day our daily bread. Ask God every day.
4. Forgiveness- Forgive our debts as we forgave our debtors. Forgiveness is a key- prayer never works in an unforgiving heart.
5. Deliverance from temptation- deliver from evil.
What did Apostle Paul say about prayer? I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. I Timothy 4:5 Sanctifying prayer.
Pray for all men. I Timothy 2:1, V8
James 5:16 Effective fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.
CONCLUSION
The ability to pray to God and receive answers in our lives is truly one of the greatest blessings we can have as children of God! Hopefully, understanding and applying the principles discussed in this lesson will assure greater success in having our prayers answered.
Thanks for reading