How can we learn to pray effectively? Renowned evangelist and Bible teacher R. A. Torrey says that there are key biblical principles which must be followed if we are to pray in a way that brings answers. Beginning by showing the importance of prayer, he goes on to establish that the essence of true prayer is based on an intimate relationship with God. He deals with key features of effective prayer such as perseverance, praying in the Spirit and praying according to the will of God.

“The disciples did not know how to pray as they ought, so they came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord teach us to pray.’ We know not how to pray as we ought, but we have another Teacher and Guide right at hand to help us: ‘The Spirit helpeth our infirmity.’ When we come into God’s presence we should recognize ‘our infirmity,’ our ignorance of what we should pray for or how we should pray for it, and we should look up to the Holy Spirit, casting ourselves utterly upon Him.”
— R. A. TORREY

R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) was a gifted Bible teacher, pastor, evangelist and writer. He worked alongside D. L. Moody in his evangelistic campaigns of the late 1880s before becoming Superintendent of what became the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, and later Pastor of the Moody Church. He preached all over the English-speaking world, and wrote numerous books, many of which have continued in print ever since.