Question: Mr. McLemore, What is the secret of successful prayer?

Answer: I take it that by "successful prayer" you mean receiving a favorable response to the petitions you make to God. It is right for Christians to expect God to hear and answer their petitions. God’s ear is open to the cries of his people, and he desires to answer speedily. (Please read Jesus’ parables in Luke 11:1-13 and 18:1-8). The key to having one’s petitions heard and answered affirmatively is to pray according to the will of God (1 John 5:14, 15). God’s will is revealed in the scriptures, so praying according to the will of God necessitates careful study of God’s word. Every prayer is answered (either with "yes," "no," "not now," or "let me give you something better," etc.). Regardless of the answer you receive, fellowship with God himself is always the greatest blessing in prayer (if HE is your heart’s deepest desire)! As the psalmist declared, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).