The reason I am writing this passage is that am personally convinced that prayer and especially intercession for both servants of God and the body of Christ are highly neglected. Believers today lack will power & strength to spend quality time on prayers and fasting.

While it's true to say prayer less Christians are powerless. Christians, I believe beyond any shadow of doubt that God is raising champions who are desperate to see lives changed, families restored, souls saved, anointing upon servants and above all the body of Christ coming to maturity.

I would like to give you a few reasons why you need to commit and be alert in the hour we are living in.  

1. The Lord Jesus Christ himself is the supreme argument for prayers and he laid examples when he prayed at the grave of a dead man, gate of the dead city, Gethsemane . 'and being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like 'bids of blood' 'Luke 22:39-44. If indeed we are Christ like we have to pray fervently day and night. (Start praying)
2. God anticipated man's problems arising and therefore made provision for a way of communication to exist between Him and humanity . Hebrew 4:16 'Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need', whereby mercy is God's compassion on our failure and Grace is the unmerited, undeserved and unearned favour upon our life, let us then approach the throne. (pray now)
3. We are under constant attacks, corporately as a church and as the enemy wage war against the church of Christ (Acts 8:1-3) and also as individuals since we pledged our allegiance to the King of Kings. Let us put on the full amour of God and pull down all the strongholds of the enemy i.e. rulers, authorities, powers of dark world and spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. (please pray)
4. The true test of any sincere believer's work is revealed by the outcome of prayers (Acts 13:2) 'while they were worshipping and fasting the Holy Spirit said set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'. After they fasted and prayed they placed hands on them. It's true when we eagerly pray that the Holy Spirit reveal the hidden treasures as well as sins in the church. (keep praying)
5. Prayer creates hunger for souls. It's important for us to pray in order to have a clear vision of the lost condition of mankind without Christ and Grace. The more you pray for sinners' salvation the more burden is given unto you. Proverbs 11:30) 'The fruits of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise'. Like a deer that pants for water lets desire to pray for our beloved ones and the world at large (don't stop praying)
6. A praying believer gets understanding, wisdom and revelation, they have a fellowship with the father and is edified by the Holy Spirit every day of their lives. (Ephesians 1:17-18) (thanks for praying)

If you read this passage up to this level, I believe you have a desire to change your prayer life. Please promise me to read the scriptures quoted below as I write in short what you need to know when praying.

• Learn to avoid doubt . Mark 11:23 and never have plan 1 and 2, for this limit what God can do.
• Get rid of your carnal human understanding (1 Cor 14:14 ) for the devil looks like the fool he is, when you pray in tongues.
• When praying you have direct access to God. (1 Cor. 14:2, Jer 33:3)
• Prayer is a mighty weapon to demolish the strongholds of the enemy(2 Cor 10:3. 5) and James5:16, no forces can stand before you in Jesus name.
• Selfishness and wrong motives (James 4:2. 3) always check out your motive whether it's pleasing before God
• Pride (2 Chronicles 7:14 )

Types of prayers (Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn)

Confession : by acknowledging who God is, calling him the Lord, God most high, the creator of heaven & earth, Jehovah Jireh, shalom etc. Declare his power (phil 2:11 ) every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Adorations give him absolute beauty and worship, loving him adoring him, tell him 'Jesus I love you, you are my tower & refuge, my help in time of need, I cannot do without you etc.

Supplications : Let your request be made known to the Lord, needs, wants, and heart desires . Phil 4:6. 7.

Intimacy : This is when you experience the genuine fear of the Lord, the real presence of the Holy Spirit, quite often we respond the lifting our hands in worship, kneel or just shed tears of joy.

Intercession : at this point you don't focus on your selfish needs and wants, but on others (John 17: 9. 19) the church today needs more intercessors than ever before.

Thanksgiving : after you have confessed, adored, said your supplication, had intimacy and interceded you come to a point of giving thanks for the victory in your life (1 Cor 15:57 ) just this song 'He has done so much for me and I cannot tell it all -----'

Praising praise Him in tongues and new songs for he is worthy.

Today I want you to give the devil, the accuser of brethrens and father of all lies a punch, both in the morning, noon and evening. To do this you need to memorise my Sunday school teacher formula of praying, to ensure you don't miss important issues in your intercession, this is done by the show of your hand.

1. Thumb: Strongest digit, suggests pray for home and family.
2. Index Finger: Is the pointing finger, suggests pray for all those people who help & guide you. For example, Pastor & other ministers.
3. Middle Finger: Is the tallest finger, pray for the people who have power in the world. For example, Presidents, Queen & Prime ministers.
4. Ring Finger: The weakest finger which can do very little on its own, please remember the poor, hungry and sick.
5. Little Finger: The smallest and the last finger, suggests pray for oneself.

Teach your teenagers this formula and their prayer life will change. It's easy to follow and fan for kids.

When you pray remember the following:

•  Church unity.

•  For God to call out many workers for his church.

•  God to multiply his flock in the assembly.

•  Pray for Love, Unity and Family

•  Pray for ministers or pastors.

•  Thank God for your pastor and for the calling on his life.

•  Pray for Gods grace upon his life

•  Ask God to meet his need and never to compromise.

•  Pray that our pastor may walk in integrity and holiness.

•  Pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that you can witness effectively.

•  Pray about your Christian life, i.e. to be without struggle.

•  Ask the Lord to release his wonder working power upon you in Jesus name, Amen.

More prayer requests when we reason together concerning effective fasting.

Thank you for your time. May the Lord God almighty bless you with all the abundance in heaven through Christ Jesus. Amen