Effective Prayer: Drawing Near to God Through the King James Bible
Online Course Lessen 1
Course Title:
Effective Prayer: Drawing Near to God Through the King James Bible
Course Description:
Effective Prayer is a transformative 12-lesson online course presented by Elias Shepherd’s Ministry, designed to deepen your relationship with God through biblical, Spirit-led prayer. Grounded in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, this course goes beyond surface-level understanding and equips believers to pray with power, confidence, and intimacy.
Each lesson explores a key aspect of prayer—from understanding the Lord’s Prayer and praying in faith, to intercession, spiritual warfare, and hearing God’s voice. Whether you are new to prayer or looking to strengthen your spiritual life, this course will help you move from routine prayer to relationship-based prayer rooted in truth.
You’ll learn how to:
Build a consistent prayer life grounded in Scripture
Overcome common obstacles like doubt, sin, or distraction
Use the Word of God effectively in your prayers
Intercede for your family, church, and nation with purpose
Cultivate a habit of listening as well as speaking in prayer
Features Include:
12 Audio & Written Lessons
KJV Scripture Study in Every Lesson
Personal Reflection Journal Prompts
Closing Prayers and Verse Meditation
Lighthouse-themed Spiritual Encouragement
Bonus Download: 7-Day Prayer Challenge + Printable Journal
Join us as we journey into the heart of prayer—where intimacy with God changes everything.
Let your prayer life become a living fire.
Lesson 1: What is Prayer? – The Purpose of Speaking to God
Scripture Focus:
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:6
Opening Word from Elias Shepherd’s Ministry
Be well, child of Christ.
Welcome to Elias Shepherd’s Ministry.
Let us begin with prayer.
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We enter Your presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and a desire to learn how to draw closer to You. We confess that many times we have treated prayer like a ritual or a last resort. But today, open our eyes to see prayer as it truly is—a relationship, a lifeline, and a holy conversation with our Creator. Teach us through Your Word how to pray, and why prayer is essential to our walk with You.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Lesson Theme: What Is Prayer?
Prayer is not just a religious practice. It is the spiritual breath of every believer. Without it, our relationship with God suffocates.
To pray is to speak with God. But true prayer, as found in the King James Bible, is more than just presenting a list of requests. It is a communion with the Most High God—our Father, our Lord, and our Friend.
Let us begin by clearing away a few misunderstandings about prayer:
Prayer is not about eloquence.
Prayer is not about volume or length.
Prayer is not a magical incantation.
Prayer is not just asking for things.
Instead, prayer is the believer’s communication line with God. Just as we need to breathe in the natural, we need prayer to thrive in the spiritual.
The Purpose of Prayer
The Bible gives us clear insight into the purpose of prayer:
Communion with God –
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” – James 4:8
Prayer is the means by which we come close to the heart of God.Worship and Reverence –
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
Prayer should begin with reverence, not requests.Submission and Obedience –
“Not my will, but thine, be done.” – Luke 22:42
Jesus Himself modeled that prayer is where we surrender, not command.Request and Petition –
“Let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
It is not wrong to ask—but it must come from a surrendered heart.Intercession for Others –
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions... be made for all men.” – 1 Timothy 2:1
True prayer reaches beyond self and seeks God's will for others.
Prayer Is Personal
Jesus taught us to go into our closet and shut the door. Why? Because prayer is not a performance—it is intimacy. It’s not about being seen; it’s about being heard. And more importantly, it’s about listening.
God is not impressed with repetition or religious form. He desires sincerity.
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18
Do you call on Him in truth?
Are your prayers intimate or institutional?
Do you run to Him in private, or only in public?
Common Hindrances to Effective Prayer
Before we go deeper into the "how" in future lessons, let us first identify what often blocks effective prayer:
Unconfessed Sin – Psalm 66:18
Lack of Faith – James 1:6-7
Unforgiveness – Mark 11:25
Wrong Motives – James 4:3
Neglect of God’s Word – Proverbs 28:9
If we want our prayers to be effective, we must come before God with a clean heart and an open ear. Repentance is the gateway to relationship.
How Did Jesus Pray?
Jesus often rose early to pray (Mark 1:35), prayed all night before choosing the apostles (Luke 6:12), and even prayed on the cross.
He didn’t just pray for us—He prayed with us, and He still makes intercession today (Romans 8:34).
If the Son of God needed prayer to remain connected to the Father, how much more do we?
Prayer Is a Two-Way Street
Prayer is not just about talking—it’s also about listening.
Too often we rush into prayer with a list and rush out with no time to hear.
Elijah heard God in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Samuel responded with, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Ask yourself: When was the last time I paused in silence after praying?
Reflection Journal Prompt
Take time after this lesson to journal on the following:
Do I view prayer as a duty or a delight?
When was the last time I prayed simply to spend time with God—not to ask for anything?
Have I been neglecting prayer? Why?
What hinders my prayer life most right now?
Write a heartfelt letter to God today. Not a list—just a letter. Tell Him what’s in your heart.
Closing Prayer
Father,
We thank You for the gift of prayer.
We repent for the times we have treated it casually or forgotten its power.
Teach us to seek You—not just Your hand, but Your face.
Let us pray with open hearts, clean hands, and expectant faith.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scriptures for Meditation
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
Matthew 6:6 – Pray to thy Father which is in secret.
James 5:16 – The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Luke 22:42 – Not my will, but thine, be done.
John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Lesson 2: The Model Prayer – Understanding the Lord’s Prayer
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