The Power of Prayer
Prayers are powerful, but do we believe that? Outwardly, we may say “Yes,” but do we genuinely believe that? Do you believe your prayers are powerful? I’m confident that we all have said prayers in the past that have made a difference in our lives and in the lives of others. But how powerful are your prayers?
We all live fairly comfortable lives. We have food on the table, a roof over our head, clothes on our back and transportation to get us where we need to go. But everything we have today could be gone tomorrow. When we begin to understand how dependent we are on God, that’s when we become attached to Him. We have a desperate need for God because when it comes to those everyday needs, He’s the only one who can provide them.
Do you have faith that He is? Do you get really detailed and strategic with your prayers? Perhaps we're hesitant to get really specific in our prayers because maybe God won't answer that prayer, or He's too busy and He won't get to my prayers.
God can do far more abundantly than we ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21). We must believe that He is (Heb. 11:6) and that He will hear us (I John 5:14) because He has the power to answer prayers (Matt. 21:22). Psalm 34:17 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their trouble." What we think is impossible, with God, it is possible. We are in a spiritual battle, and our victories don't come by accident.
We turn to God with faith, but that doesn’t mean He will answer every prayer that we ask. God has a plan and purpose for everything. God sees the big picture and knows what’s best for us (Prov. 3:5-6). Let us heed the words of Job in 13:15: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Have an “even though” mindset, not an “if only” attitude toward God.
Is it difficult to keep your mind peacefully focused on God while you pray? Go to an isolated place, a place of privacy, and just pour your heart out to God (Matt. 6:6). Eliminate distractions. Put the smartphone down. Log off Facebook. Turn off Netflix. And make time to pray to God. We also can think about God as we fulfill our daily routine; be aware of God’s reality at every moment (Phil. 4:8-9). To think on those things will bring us closer to God and make our minds more inclined to pray.
So, how is your prayer life?
