INTRODUCTION:
The
power of prayer, is a phrase
that is often used by Christians, but not everyone fully understands the
meaning and impact.
Prayer
allows us to commune with the Heavenly Father and receive an array of
blessings. Most importantly, prayer allows those who pray to keep connected
with God and His divine will.
“Howbeit
this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21.
Prayer is
one of the greatest weapons in the kingdom for the believer. This is because
prayer is our principal access to divine help. Jesus Himself, our perfect
example, was a man of prayer.
Luke 11:1 “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying
in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord,
teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
WHAT IS PRAYER?
- Prayer is our direct line with heaven.
- Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk
to God! He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone
call. Cell phones and other devices have become a necessity to some people
in today’s society. We have bluetooth devices, mobile phones, and other
talking devices! These are means of communication that allow two or more
people to interact, discuss, and respond to one another.
- Prayer is simply talking to God.
The POWER of PRAYER:
1. It helps us to Align with God’s Great Plan
We
do not always receive the answers we want in response to our prayers. However,
we can always be rest assured that we have received the right answer, the one
that is most in alignment with God’s plan.
Eph. 2:18 "For through Him we both
have access by one Spirit to the Father."
Our
human minds, wills, and egos are extremely limited. As well-intentioned as we
might be, we are all fallible human beings who are prone to making mistakes. At
any given time, we are only seeing part of the picture. However, each of us has
a soul that is closer to God than we ever imagined.
2. Miracles Happen When we pray
Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at
them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are
possible with God.”
Mark 9:23 "If you can’?”
said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
The
Bible is filled with examples of the power of prayer. You have probably
experienced it yourself as well, or heard the testimony of others.
The
act of prayer allows people to feel close to and connected with the Heavenly
Father throughout the day, which is a miracle in itself. However, the act of
prayer can in some cases also bring results that can only be defined as a “God
moment.” Taking the time to pray lets God know that we are trusting in Him and
His power.
3. Prayer Nourishes the Soul
Prayer
is more than a conversation — it is food for our souls!
It brings
healing.
It brings
safety and salvation.
It is a
refuge that can renew a weary soul.
We were made
to rely on the Lord in prayer.
4. Prayer Helps Us Overcome Evil
Romans 8:37 "No, in
all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
us" and Luke 10:17 "The
seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to
us in your name.”
This are
powerful scriptural reminders that, when it comes to spiritual battles,
physical strength is not what enables us to overcome. In prayer, even the
physically weak can become strong and gain power over evil.
Eph.
6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”.
When we call
upon the name of Jesus and allow the Spirit to work through us, we are not just
given the power to fight — we are given the power to defeat every evil and
enemy that comes our way.
5. Prayer Advances the Cause of
Christ
God doesn’t
need our help, but prayer allows us to enter into the ways in which He is at
work in our lives and in the world around us. But prayer doesn’t just bring us
closer to God. When we pray, especially in public, we help point others to
Jesus too. And when God answers prayers, our testimony can serve as a witness
for those who might be struggling with doubt.
6. Prayer is Powerful
In Hebrews
11, we see that faith pleases God.
Because
prayer is an act of faith, we please God when we run to him in prayer. Like an
earthly father longs to hear his son or daughters voice, our Heavenly Father
longs to hear ours as well.
So my
question to you today is this?
How’s your
prayer life?
Are you
setting aside time to spend with God each day?
There is no
better time than right now to devote our days to walking in communion with God
the Father. And the best way to walk with Him is to be connected to Him through
prayer.