Knowing who we are in Christ is important as it relates to effective prayer.
James 5:16
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
Who are we in Christ? This is a very important question to know the answer to. The answer is that we are the righteousness of God. Whenever we read in the bible that something is "In Christ". This means that because of the substitutionary sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us. Favor, grace, blessings and access are freely made available to us to for whatever we need. Being in Christ means that Jesus paid the price and received the penalty for our sins, transgressions and iniquity upon himself. Causing us to be forgiven, pardoned and redeemed when we receive the gift of salvation by faith.
To be righteous means to be approved, acceptable and in right standing with God. When we receive Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. We immediately become the righteous of God in position spiritually. This is who we are in Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:21 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[a]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
So what does all of this mean for us as it relates to prayer. Truly understanding our position in Christ, give us confidence in prayer. We then understand that effective prayer is not based upon our performance but upon the the sacrifice of the cross.
If you believe that God hearing you in prayer is based upon your own performance. The devil will make sure that he keeps your mind filled with thoughts of condemnation. Constantly reminding you of areas in your life where you have missed the mark.
But believers that have a revelation that "I am saved and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by grace through faith". The devil will not be able to use the weapon and trick of condemnation against them anymore. Hindering their prayers by causing them to be in doubt and unbelief due to condemnation. Now that we are the Righteousness of God in position, we should also walk and live our lives like we are righteous practically.
Romans 6:1-2
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
6 What shall we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
So when you pray. Pray with a revelation of who you really are in Christ. Because the prayers of the righteous avails much!
Pastor Kenneth Hollins