What God Wants Us To Know About The Power Of Prayer

What God wants us to know about The Power Of Prayer

Power Of Prayer - How powerful is it?
The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. Jesus taught, "…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." The Bible urges us, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

Power Of Prayer - How do I tap into it?
The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being prayed to. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." No matter the person praying, the passion behind the prayer, or the purpose of the prayer - God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully! We cannot access powerful prayer by using "magic formulas." Our prayers being answered is not based on the eloquence of our prayers. We don't have to use certain words or phrases to get God to answer our prayers. In fact, Jesus rebukes those who pray using repetitions, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:7-8). Prayer is communicating with God. All you have to do is ask God for His help. Psalm 107:28-30 reminds us, "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." There is power in prayer!

Power Of Prayer - For what kind of things should I pray?
God's help through the power of prayer is available for all kinds of requests and issues. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The Word of God is full of accounts describing the power of prayer in various situations. The power of prayer has overcome enemies (Psalm 6:9-10), conquered death (2 Kings 4:3-36), brought healing (James 5:14-15), and defeated demons (Mark 9:29). God, through prayer, opens eyes, changes hearts, heals wounds, and grants wisdom (James 1:5). The power of prayer should never be underestimated because it draws on the glory and might of the infinitely powerful God of the universe! Daniel 4:35 proclaims, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'"

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools that a Christian has in his or her arsenal, yet so many Christians don't use it to their (or others') advantage. Here are a few ideas that can help you get started praying and come into a closer relationship with God. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:1-4 as a model of how to pray effectively. This prayer is not a prayer we are supposed to memorize and simply recite to God. It is only an example of how to pray and the things that should go into a prayer - worship, trust in God, requests, confession, protection, etc. Pray for these kinds of things, but speak to God using your own words. Let’s examine this prayer one phrase at a time.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
Prayer should always begin with praise to the Lord and appropriation of His promises.

1. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
Prayer should be made for God's will to be done in 1) your personal life; 2) your family; 3) your church, etc....

2. "Give us this day our daily bread"
This area of prayer seeks God's provision for your physical and material needs.

3. "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"
Confession of sin and repentance is made as the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins.

4. "And Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
Prayer is made for deliverance from demonic forces and that such forces would not lead one into temptation through one's own carelessness or disobedience.

5. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen"
Prayer begins and ends in praise to God.

Prayer Tips

1. Persistent prayer will be transformed from desire to discipline to delight!

2. Prevailing prayer purposes to war in prayer until the victory is won.

3. You will experience divine preservation as you put on the whole armor of God and pray a hedge of protection about yourself and your loved ones.

4. Prayer as duty is drudgery, but prayer as delight becomes a dynamic encounter with the living God.

5. Refuse to let discouragement or unbelief rob you of answers to prayer. When you lose one, get mad, declare "I am claiming in the name of Jesus a seven-fold return on everything the devil has stolen." ( Proverbs 6:30-31). Repossess that lost ground!

6. The desire to pray is not something we work up in our flesh. Ask the Holy Spirit to plant the desire in your heart to pray.

7. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.

8. John Wesley said "God does everything by prayer and nothing without it."

Prayer is not a natural act of the flesh. Sometimes you need a little extra help to start you praying and some guidance as to what to pray for. Psalms are an excellent tool for this as they are some of the most emotional prayers offered to God from King David, himself. Simply pick up your Bible, select a Psalm, read the first verse, pray about what you have read, and then move on to the next verse. For example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." (Psalm 1:1)

Then pray in your own words what God has revealed to you through his word. Like:

Dear Lord, our world is so full of the hatred and ungodliness indicative of a fallen generation. Please help me not to fall into the traps set by the devourer. I know that I too am ungoldly at times and I ask that you give me the strength to walk in light and your good nature....

It is important to realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; we know what it is to pray in the Spirit; but we do not so often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers which we cannot utter. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable, looking at the sincerity and passion in our hearts. "He," the Holy Spirit in you, "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God," and God searches your heart not to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what is the prayer of the Holy Spirit.

Does Prayer Change Things? The answer to this question is yes.

Firstly because if prayer didn't change anything, what would be the point in praying "in everything"? (Php 4:6).

Secondly because God promises that people who pray are far better off than people who don't, so things must change for the better through prayer (Jas 4:2-3 and Matt 7:7-11).

What Things Does Prayer Change?

Prayer changes "all things". If we are to "pray in everything" (Php 4:6) then everything must be capable of being changed by prayer. Prayer helps make "all things" work together for good (Rom 8:26-28).

But "all things" does not mean absolutely everything in the universe but rather "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2Pe 1:3-4, 11). The "life" referred to is eternal life. Prayer does not change things which have no connection with God’s Kingdom & purpose.

However this doesn't mean that prayer changes only spiritual things. Prayer will certainly change material things when that change has a spiritual benefit. On the other hand, God is not Santa Claus.

Prayer is not for satisfying material lusts and whims, although it is certainly important that we pray for our material needs. In one breath Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses..." The main purpose of prayer, however, is to help make things "turn out for God’s ultimate purpose (Php 1:19).

How Much Does Prayer Change Things?

Prayer avails "much" (Jas 5:16)

But how much is "much" ? If you think, "Not very much", you are mistaken. "Much" is "more than we ask or think" (Eph 3:20). Prayer changes things more than we imagine or comprehend. Prayer changes things for spiritual and eternal purposes which are wonderfully high.

We cannot measure or perceive the changes which prayer makes, so in one sense we cannot answer the question "How much...?"

But we do know this: Prayer changes things as much as is necessary to ensure god’s will. Thus prayer changes things very much indeed!

In What Manner Does Prayer Change Things?

Sometimes in a miraculous manner —for example when Peter raised Tabitha from death (Acts 9:40).

Sometimes in an extraordinary manner —for example the case of Elijah and the drought (Jas 5:17-18).

But mostly in an ordinary manner —for example when Paul was met by his friends (Acts 28:15-16). We usually

experience the changes prayer makes at an ordinary level. If miracles and extraordinary events were commonplace, they would not be extraordinary, would they? God is able to influence the ordinary course of events so that our real needs are satisfied. This does not diminish the power of prayer or the providence of God. In a way, it makes it all the more wonderful and abundant. So how can our lives be changed? How can our families be changed? How can our neighborhood, our city, state, country and yes even the world be changed? By the faithful, fervent, effective and earnest prayers of the redeemed men and women of God. What a promise! What a hope if we will be faithful in Prayer.

PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND OUR PEOPLE

Father God, Our world is so full of the hatred and ungodliness indicative of a fallen generation. Please help each of us that are redeemed by you not to fall into the traps set by the evil one and the car nal desires of our own lusts. We know that we too are ungoldly at times and ask that you give us the strength to walk in light and your good nature of Truth.

I humbly pray that You direct the leaders of this great nation now in this time of crisis. Especially those we oppose. Let us remember You are soveign and still in control over all things. Open our leaders eyes to your Word and direction and grant them wisdom and understanding, and help them to respond wisely and effectively in leading this nation in your ways. Direct them that they may do what is right in Your sight. May they follow Your Divine Will to lead our nation on the paths of peace and safety. Unite all government agencies in an organized and harmonious fashion to bring quick and effective resolve to the demands of the many crisis and decisions we face. Empower us as United States citizens and Christians to do our own part, financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to care and support all who have critical needs, so they might know that You are the Source of life, mercy, grace and peace and we are just your instruments of your work. O Lord, you are the answer to longing of all people. I pray that You encourage and strengthen our nation. Surround us with Your Love and Mercy! Bring peace and comfort to all those who are suffering and searching for You. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.