James 5:16-18
"…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."
When we talk about prayer how often
times we limit it in a simple or basic term as a our way of communicating with
God, and often we limit it to asking for
our needs and the desire of our hearts. We even encourage ourselves and others that God loves to answer our prayer because He
love us much and He wants the best for us. Though this is very true to its core
there is an underlying nature that we often missed when we talk about prayer
and that is His power at work in our prayer.
The power of prayer is not the
result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in the God who is being
prayed to. 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. 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!
Elijah knew it every well when
he asked God sincerely and intensely that it would not rain on the land for 3
and half years, it is not his passion nor his ability that does it but God whom
he trusts. The power of God is behind the prayer of Elijah.
1 John 5:14-15
"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."
Why do we need the power when we pray
1. There
is an enemy who would like to discourage you not to pray.
Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against
flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen
world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in
the heavenly places.”
2. We
often get tired and become hopeless.
2 Chronicles 15:7
“But don’t give up. No, rather take courage!
Do not let your hands be weak,
for
your work shall be rewarded”
3. We
are often too busy to pray.
Haggai 1:9
"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought
home, I blew away. Why?" declares
the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each
of you is busy with his own house.”
Prayer that Challenges the
work of the enemy
·
In addition to your own personal needs and
ministry, God would have you pray for a couple that are struggling financially,
a person in a winning team to an influence to others, or for more powerful
prayer praying for Christians in our government to be an influence of
righteousness.
·
When you join and pray for the Lord of the
Harvest to send forth millions of disciples to work with thousands of local
churches of all denominations and with various movements and organizations who
desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled in this generation?
·
When you pray also for a mighty outpouring of
God's Holy Spirit upon the entire world and for the money and material needed
to fulfill this God-given task?
Prayer is power in itself, it
moves the hand of God and it is a process of recognizing God's power and plan for our lives. Prayer is
communicating with God. All you have to
do is ask God for His help. Remember that, as you bow in prayer, you are
tapping a source of power that can change the course of history. God's mighty
power, His love, His wisdom and His grace are available to you if you will but
believe Him and claim them. Remember always, Jesus promised that you would do
the same miracles which He did, and even greater ones.
Your Life Group Guide
- Have you ever considered the power behind your prayer?
- The power of prayer should not be underestimated have you ever underestimate the power of prayer? In what way?
- How will you apply the power of prayer in your life? Site an example.
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