The power of prayer. We have all heard of the power of prayer. We have heard stories of how prayer had been the difference in the outcome of some event, disaster, or illness. These testimonies are for all real and attest to the same result. Prayer is powerful and does work to affect change, or actions. Sounds kind of cut and dry when spoken in this way. The truth is much more like a good novel or movie, with the exception that it is real. We all have the same ability to pray. But first, we need to have some knowledge of what we are talking about. John 14:And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 16:23 (NIV) states: "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." This verse marks a shift in prayer, where believers gain direct access to the Father in Jesus' name, resulting in complete joy.
To be effective, we must know what prayer is and we must have belief. We must have full faith in our prayer requests. In Matthew 17:20 KJV, Jesus states that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains, and nothing will be impossible. This means even tiny, genuine faith in God is powerful enough to overcome obstacles, as it relies on His power rather than the quantity of faith
It is most thought of as just asking for something. And that is how most use prayer and is expected. But prayer is more than just that. Prayer is an instant conversation with God, we have His full attention when we come to Him in prayer. When we pray to God through Jesus Christ His son, we have entered in His throne room and are present with our creator for a one on one conversation. He already knows our needs and wants, as well as what we are approaching Him for. So why ask in prayer? That is an easy answer. We are instructed to bring everything to Him in praise and thankfulness. Bringing everything to God in prayer acknowledges that He alone is sovereign. That He has the power to do what we ask and no one else can help. That we rely on His wisdom, and judgement for our needs and concerns. We have, by humbling ourselves before Him in prayer, have given praise and glory to our God. We worship our God in everything we do, this includes in our prayers. We must always remember to approach our God through His Son Jesus our savior and the one who intervenes for man and God.
Philippians 4: Be careful for nothing; but do not worry or have anxiety over anything. Just believe and have faith that God has this, whatever it is . And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesussupplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known John 14:6 NKJV. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
When we pray for others, we have obeyed the love thy neighbor commandment. When we ask for ourselves, we are asking the only One who can make what we ask for, happen. We are telling our God that He alone has the power to do or grant what we ask. We approach our God as Lord, sovereign and our Father. We pray and give thanks to Him for listening and helping in whatever we have asked. Jesus said, you have not because you haven’t asked. This is a real step in faith. It is a very simple statement but is so true. If we don’t ask God for something, then why complain when we don’t have it? Hebrews 11:1, faith is defined as the substance (or assurance) of things hoped for and the evidence (or conviction) of things not seen. It represents a confident expectation in God's promises and a trust in the unseen, rather than merely wishful thinking or relying on physical evidence
Now, praying and asking for something does not mean that God works on our timetable. He is not some proverbial Genie to grant wishes. Our God is supreme, infinite and all powerful. He is love everlasting and without conditional strings attached. He is God. So we have to trust His judgement and time. Abraham had to wait a good many years to receive His son. David had to wait a good many years to be king.
The Lord our God loves His children and delights in giving to them many blessings. Those that are asked for and those which are not. He never fails to hear our prayers and pleadings. He is moved by our love and confidence in Him. Our God does not turn away from those who love Him and pray to Him. We are told to pray without ceasing. God would not tell us to pray to Him, to bring our troubles and petitions to Him for no reason. Although we cannot know the mind of God, we can be sure that He will answer our prayers as long as they fit His will for us. He will not allow His children to receive something that is harmful, or evil. He will not allow us to be led into and evil way by a request that will lead to destruction. Only He knows the future. Only He knows the best for us. So when we think of praying, be sure to think of what we are asking of Him. Be sure that it fits His will by knowing His ways. The best way is to continually read His word daily. Take a few passages of scripture daily as a person would a medical prescription. It doesn’t take long and your prayer life will be better for it.
One final thing, we should all remember that prayer is not always about wants or needs. A prayer of thanksgiving should be a daily decision as well. We all can think of needs we have and remember to ask the Lord in prayer for those. As His children we can expect that of Him. But seldom do many of us remember to thank Him for His blessings we receive daily. If we took the time, we could find many each day to be thankful for. Waking up each day, being healthy recovering from an illness, for having someone to love and who loves us. I could go on and on but why. I think the general idea is across. God is full of grace and He offers His grace to all who ask. His mercy is without measure. His love is never ending and true. Our God is truly amazing and His delight in blessing us is unending. Our love for Him should be as great as we can make it. Our gratitude for what He has already done in our lives should be just as equal as what we ask of Him. Just think of this and try these things, see how much power is in prayer remembering to come to God in reverence. Realizing that we are in the presence of Almighty God who allows us to approach Him as His children, not just His creation. Pray for all things in your life and let the Lord do His will for you. He causes, as He says, all things to work for the good of those who love Him. This includes prayer. Prayer is the one time where we speak directly to our creator. We have His full attention and we should enter in that with reverence to God. We are after all in His Holy presence. We are all His children, and He wants to give us all we ask as any father would for his children. So go to the Lord in prayer, ask what you need to ask, and trust in Him to answer. Remember, He loves you beyond understanding.
Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?”
May the peace of God be with you all, AMEN