"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." (1 John 3:22)

 

We see when reading this verse that a prerequisite to prayer is the keeping of His commandments.  Simply put, we can only expect God to answer our prayers if we are keeping His commandments and following Him.  This kind of puts a big hole right in the middle of the so called "sinner's prayer" syndrome doesn't it! 

 

God in His own Word says we must keep his commandments in order to receive what we pray for.  That alone should be enough of an incinitive for us to strive diligently to take up His cross and follow Him and to keep His commandments.  Just think of the many things we pray for each day and how many times we might stop in our busy lives and go to Him in prayer asking for His help. 

 

We should pray intensely, (Matthew 7:7-11) as well as according to God's will, (1 John 5:14).  We must remember to pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) and unselfishly (James 4:3). 

 

We as children of God have a great blessing in having the privilege of prayer, it is our link to Him IF we keep His commandments He will hear and He will answer.