Most Christians understand the importance of prayer.  We are repeatedly exhorted to pray in the New Testament.  Paul exhorts us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean that we are to literally pray nonstop, but rather that we should consistently maintain the practice of praying.

Prayer is easy.  It only takes a few things to pray to God effectively.  Obviously, the first thing we need is a relationship with the Fathe.  Those who do not have fellowship with God cannot enjoy a praying relationship with Him.  This is why the Bible tells us that God does not hear the prayers of sinners.

John 9:31 (ESV)
³¹We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

Someone says, “An uninspired man, not God, spoke these words.”  True, but uninspired people can know the truth by reading the inspired word of God.  This man was a Jew who knew the Word of God.  He was, no doubt, familiar with the inspired words of Isaiah.

Isaiah 59:1–2 (ESV)
¹Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; ²but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Many other passages could be cited, but these will do.  To have an effective prayer life, you must be a child of God in good standing with Him.

Another necessity is faith.  Praying without faith is a guaranteed path to an ineffective prayer life.

James 1:5–7 (ESV)
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

There is no reason for us not to have faith when we pray.  God has assured us that He hears our prayers (1 John 5:14-15) and has even given us an advocate to help us when we pray (1 Timothy 2:5).  No wonder the writer of Hebrews tells us to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22).

One more thing—to have an effective prayer life, we must have discipline.  Praying is one thing, but having an effective prayer life is something else.  To take full advantage of prayer, we must pray consistently, preferably daily.   We should all have a time when we get away from everyone and everything else in our lives and just spend time with God in prayer.

Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

This takes time and commitment, but if you really want to have an effective prayer life, you will discipline yourself to do it.

The rewards of prayer are great.  It draws us closer to God (Hebrews 4:16), helps us overcome the flaming darts of the devil (Ephesians 6:13-18), and gives us the strength to guard us against temptations (Matthew 26:41).  We should all want to have the most effective prayer life possible, something we can have if we remain faithful to God, pray with faith, and discipline ourselves to pray every day.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.