How is the effectiveness of prayer linked to the means of salvation?

The link between the effectiveness of prayer and the means of salvation lies in its role as a conduit for communication between believers and Christ. Prayer serves as an ordinary means through which individuals engage with God, expressing their faith, repentance, and need for salvation. In the Christian understanding, while salvation ultimately comes through Christ alone, prayer is significant as it reflects a believer's reliance on Him and is a way to receive grace and strength to live out their faith.

Thus, prayer acts as a channel through which one can access the redemptive work of Christ; it invites God into every aspect of life, including the journey of salvation. This means that, when prayed sincerely and in faith, it opens the heart to God's influence and guidance, enhancing the believer's relationship with Him and underscoring the belief that salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process involving communication with God.

In contrast, the other perspectives diminish the essential nature and role of prayer in the believer's life or incorrectly emphasize its limitations, such as associating it solely with public display or formal church settings, which overlooks the personal, intimate, and continuous nature of prayer in a Christian's spiritual walk.