John Knox prayed with such power that all Scotland was awakened. He prayed with such intensity that the Lord answered. It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer. One time she even exclaimed, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Sadly, To some believers nowadays, praying is like an exercise in eloquent speech that they just seem not to possess.Others see it as a mysterious practice reserved only for the clergy. However, we know that praying is an awesome time of communion with God. Multitudes of God's people can now be heard complaining, "I pray, but I get no answers", "I've prayed so long, so hard, without any results", "God is so slow in answering prayers"... and so on. Let's just be blunt and say it as it is, God does not hear all prayers- He only hears prayers that meet His set standard. God's law of prayer is crystal clear- "...That men pray everywhere, lifting up Holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:8)." 1. HOLY HANDS CONNOTE RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1 John 3:22- “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 Peter 3:12- “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” The psalmist wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18) 2. WITHOUT WRATH MEANS YOU MUST HAVE NEITHER GRUDGES NOR OFFENCES IN YOUR HEART. Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought (anything) against any (anyone)..." 3. WITHOUT DOUBTNG MEANS YOU MUST HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Mark 11:23-24 "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” The question is, how many of the people who claim to pray, and blame God for not answering, actually meet these criteria? Having failed in their own responsibilities, they seek to hold God to ransome... That's so so unfair! Saints of God, we alone are the losers if we do not get back to watching and praying- we become powerless, vulnerable, cold, sensuous and dense in the spirit. What a sad awakening there will be for those who carelessly harbor secret grudges against the Lord for not answering their prayers, when they actually were the culprits, having not consecrated themselves to Him, not putting aside their besetting sins. Rather, they are materialistic, lazy, unbelieving, doubtful fellas who not only wonder why their prayers are not answered, but also blame God, accuse Him of failing and sell their lies to innocent minds. Beloved, let's get back into the secret closet, shut in ourselves with Christ and His Word, get right on our knees, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting, and see things turn around! If you are reading this, and you are yet to consecrate yourself to God, this is the time to do so and make your ways right before God. You must do away with sinful life and sinful practices and make up your mind to follow Jesus with all your heart. Only then, will your prayers make tremendous power available such as is dynamic in its working (James 5: 16). If you are willing to surrender your life to Jesus, and do away with sin, say this short prayer