Kanye West, better known as Ye, is an American songwriter and rapper with 24 Grammy Awards under his belt. Some comments he made several months ago have resurfaced on social media after his daughter disclosed her ambition to become a pastor. The coincidental timing seemed more like a ploy by dark forces to dampen the impact of the piercing message delivered by North West, the child of Kanye and Kim Kardashian.

Joined by her mother in an interview with Entreview Magazine last week, North said it is her passion to learn more about God and to share the Gospel in order to help others. The teenager expressed her resolve to “tell people about God and how problems get solved if they follow His Word and His ways.” Indeed, North’s words are didactic enough to strengthen the backsliding believer. They even go to the heart of her dad’s exasperation when he said the following:

“I am a Christian, but I have my issues with Jesus. There’s a lot of stuff I went through, and I prayed, but I didn’t see Jesus show up… We’re so into the belief that prayer is all we need to solve our problems. But we ain’t praying our way out of prison. These prayers ain’t working. We have to apply actual physical work.”

If that were the way to go, Luke 18:1 would not have instructed that “men ought always to pray and not faint.” With North asserting that people’s problems are solved when they follow God’s Word and His ways, isn’t it remarkable how God has used the daughter to correct her father? From God’s Word, you will know His ways, the application of which provides solutions to our problems.

Let’s hope that Ye has repented of his issues with Jesus. If only he had sought to know God better, as his daughter recommended, he would have realised that nothing is as effective as prayer. That is what the Word of God says: “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”

Now, many Christians must, at one point or another, have found themselves in Kanye’s quandary, thinking that this faith journey is not working. They may have cried their hearts out to God for intervention without receiving answers, as if it were not the same God about whom Matthew 7:11 testifies:

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Whenever there seems to be no answer to prayer, the supplicant should, before giving up on God, examine how they have been praying. With Jesus declaring in Matthew 6:7 that “when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do,” how then can one expect God to answer prayers offered in the manner of animists to their gods? If He does, would those gods not take the glory?

The concluding part of the scripture clearly states, “For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” To be clear, repetition of a prayer request is not what is being condemned here. After all, Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed three times:

“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).

The unacceptable “vain repetitions” referenced here are rendered in other translations as “babbling,” “empty phrases,” and “rambling.” The Contemporary English Version defines it as: “talk on and on as people do who don’t know God.” In other words, the phrase refers to saying many words that carry no substance.

The point must be made that excessive talking is not necessary for effective prayer. Christians only betray ignorance of their identity in Christ and a shallow confidence in God when they babble at the prayer altar. When they pray as if they need to convince God, it is because they do not truly see Him as their Father. This leads them to beat about the bush (pardon the cliché) when they should go straight to the point. Duration does not determine the potency of prayer, because much of that time is often spent in needless talk.

Why use too many words to convey your plight to a God who, as Matthew 6:8 says, already knows what is in our hearts before we ask Him? We should not pray to inform God, since He is more aware of our predicament and needs than we will ever be. We can barely present our cases adequately to Him because our language is limited, hence our need for the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf (Romans 8:26).

The saints’ approach to prayer must reflect their conviction that they are asking the Lord who is able to meet all their needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We do not need to convince God in prayer, because He is generous and gives freely. James 1:5 says, “God gives generously to all without finding fault.” He is kind enough to give even without being asked, as seen in the provision of our basic needs.

Here is something else that may seem simple yet is a proven way to receive answers to prayer: the lifting up of holy hands while praying. Just as stretching the arms skyward exercises the body, especially while standing, so it also exercises faith when done in prayer, praise, and worship. Lifting holy hands is not merely a gesture but a spiritual signal of triumph. Since faith requires corresponding action to produce results, outstretched arms can serve as a catalyst for victory.

This calls to mind what happened during Israel’s battle with Amalek, as recorded in Exodus 17. Israel prevailed as long as Moses’ hands were lifted, but when his hands grew weary and fell, their enemies gained the upper hand. Moses’ hands were so crucial that Aaron and Hur devised a way to keep them raised continually. In doing so, the Israelites prevailed. What a powerful strategy—stretching hands toward heaven!

It is the eagle that stretches its wings that soars above stormy clouds. There is wisdom in Apostle Paul’s recommendation of lifting hands in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8). The psalmist even likened this posture to an evening sacrifice, which is pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 141:2).

So, before concluding like Ye that prayers do not work, try lifting holy hands more often and observe the transformation that follows. It is worth adding that this act of lifting hands also symbolises total surrender to the Lord Almighty, an admission that one has reached the end of their own strength. It is often at such a point of humility and desperation that God steps in to deliver.

VIS Ugochukwu is a sage, narrative architect, and branding strategist who responds to feedback via X @sylvesugwuanyi.