God tells us many things about effective prayers. He encourages us to join together in a bond of prayer (Matt. 18:19-20; James 5:14-16) We must ask according to His will (I John 5:14-15). We must ask in Jesus' name (John 14:13-14). We must ask in faith (Matt. 21:22). We must ASK (Matt. 7:7; James 4:2)!
We can see many examples of what the Lord does in a church where believers bond together in prayer for the same thing, applying the principles mentioned above (Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-35; 6:1-8; 12:5-17). This is the type of unity that Jesus asked the Heavenly Father to give us in John 17. It is the same type of unity that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 12 & 13.
We can pray for one another by name the same prayer that Paul prayed for the members of the church at Colossae. It is a prayer we know is in accordance with God's will for our lives. This is a prayer we can pray in faith. This is a prayer God will answer:
Lord, May _____ be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that he/she will walk in a manner worthy of You, to please You in all respects. May _____ bear fruit in every good work and may he/she increase in the knowledge of You. Lord, strengthen him/her with all power, according to Your glorious might, that _____ might attain steadfastness and patience. May _____ give thanks to You, our Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col. 1:9-12)
