Sporting events have ground rules that must be followed for the success of the game. For example, at the beginning of a baseball game the umpires and the managers meet at home plate to clarify and fully understand the ground rules. Prayer is not a game.

Prayer is a relationship. To get on “praying ground” we must follow certain ground rules.

In the New Testament gospel according to Mark, chapter 11:22-26, we are given the priority ground rules of prayer.

What are these ground rules of prayer?

The first ground rule is having certain beliefs about God, mankind, and the universe. God is a personal God who cares.

He is like Jesus Christ.

Mankind is absolutely dependent upon God. We have needs that He alone can supply. This universe is not a closed system. We must not think of nature as so fixed or rigid that natural processes cannot be disrupted by prayer.

The second ground rule is that sincerity is the foundation of all real praying.

“Prayer is the soul's sincere desire uttered or unexpressed.”

Effective prayer is always characterized by a profound humility. This third ground rule begins with the basic assumption that in every situation God knows best.

Our praying needs to expect results from God. It is a universal fact that anything done or tried in the spirit of hope and confident expectation has more than a double chance of success. Prayer must never be a ritual with no hope.

Our praying must show a complete trust in God. Prayer can remove mountains. This ground rule means we are willing to take our problems and our difficulties to God.

Also, it means we are willing to accept God's guidance when He gives it to us.

Prayer must be enveloped in a spirit of love for everyone. Bitterness, resentment, or an unforgiving spirit will cause a barrier when we are seeking God through prayer. The high experience of forgiveness cannot be given to a heart that knows nothing of a forgiving spirit.

God cannot answer a prayer that does not fit in with the character of Christ. Jesus said, "If you ask anything in my name —that is, in my character, according to my spirit — that I will do.”