The Power of Prayer
"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." Philippians 4:6-7
As a follower of Christ, one of the most powerful weapons we have is prayer. We are told to pray about everything. God cares about every detail of our lives. There is nothing too small and nothing too great that He cannot handle.
Prayer is a privilege we have and prayer changes things. Prayer is not getting God to do what we want, rather, it is an intimate communion with our heavenly Father that ultimately aligns our will up with His will. Jesus showed us a perfect example as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup to be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39
Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. He humbled Himself as a servant and graciously took the cup (of sacrifice) willingly. He knew the pain and suffering He would endure, however, He submitted completely to His Father in order that we could have new life in Him.
We are to be persistent in prayer, keeping in mind that whatever we ask according to God's will it shall be done. 1 John 5:14 How do we pray according to God's will? First, we must be familiar with His word. God cannot go against His word. If you are praying for something that does not line up with scripture, then it will not happen. Ask yourself, is this what Jesus would want? Is this something Jesus would pray for? For example, a lost soul or a restored marriage or relationship, a prodigal son or daughter, to break the chains of addiction or for God to meet your needs.
Being persistent means to keep praying and to not give up no matter what the circumstances may look like. Wait for God to give you the answer. Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow. She kept going back to the judge for justice. She did not give up when he told her no for some time. She continued asking him for what she wanted until she finally got her answer. Luke 18:1-5 This is what we should do as well. God's timing is perfect and His ways are sure. Wait on Him and as you do, let Him have His way in your life, molding and shaping your character to make you more like Jesus.
We must understand there are conditions to prayer. In order for God to hear our prayer, we must not have unconfessed sin in our hearts. Isaiah 59:2 reads, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there are any wicked ways in you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. This could be a thought pattern, unforgiveness or a destructive habit. You can be sure that if you ask the Lord to show you, He will indeed reveal it to you. If you are holding onto a grudge against someone, forgive them. This is something we are commanded to do. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive your transgressions." Mark 11:25 When we forgive, we are releasing that person who wronged or hurt us to God. We are not saying that what they did was right, rather, we are letting go of all unforgiveness so that we don't become bitter and resentful. The person we ultimately free is ourselves. Once we truly forgive, there is a peace that will flood our soul. God will heal your heart like only He can do.
We have such a loving, gracious Father who wants to help us in our time of need. He stands ready, but it is up to us to ask and believe according to the will of God. What is the will of God you may be asking? The answer is found in His word. We need to consistently stay in His word; it is there you will find answers to life's questions, peace and joy. God's word is His love letter to you and me. Jesus tells us, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 15:7 As we abide (or are in daily communion with Jesus) and His words abide in us-these words will transform our hearts and minds making us more like Jesus. Our desires will change so that our will aligns with God's will. Prayer is not getting God to do what we want. Prayer is seeking God's will and if what we are praying for does not line up with His will, then we should say, not my will but Your will be done.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23-24 We have this promise from the Lord Jesus Himself, that whatever we ask in His name will be done. "In His name" is asking anything that He Himself would ask for and it will line up with the word of God.
Jesus tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace with confidence. Lay your requests at the foot of the cross. Immerse yourself in the word of God and hide it in your heart. Pray with confidence knowing that your Father hears you. Pray persistently. Do not give up until you receive your answer from God. It may be days, weeks, months or possibly years, however, it is in God's time and He knows what is best for us. My marriage was restored by God after a separation of two years. If I had not waited on my Lord's answer and prayed standing firm until I heard from Him (not everyone else around me), then my husband and I would not be back together today. Don't stop short of your answer. Hold on my friend. God's word to you, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
As a follower of Christ, one of the most powerful weapons we have is prayer. We are told to pray about everything. God cares about every detail of our lives. There is nothing too small and nothing too great that He cannot handle.
Prayer is a privilege we have and prayer changes things. Prayer is not getting God to do what we want, rather, it is an intimate communion with our heavenly Father that ultimately aligns our will up with His will. Jesus showed us a perfect example as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup to be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39
Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. He humbled Himself as a servant and graciously took the cup (of sacrifice) willingly. He knew the pain and suffering He would endure, however, He submitted completely to His Father in order that we could have new life in Him.
We are to be persistent in prayer, keeping in mind that whatever we ask according to God's will it shall be done. 1 John 5:14 How do we pray according to God's will? First, we must be familiar with His word. God cannot go against His word. If you are praying for something that does not line up with scripture, then it will not happen. Ask yourself, is this what Jesus would want? Is this something Jesus would pray for? For example, a lost soul or a restored marriage or relationship, a prodigal son or daughter, to break the chains of addiction or for God to meet your needs.
Being persistent means to keep praying and to not give up no matter what the circumstances may look like. Wait for God to give you the answer. Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow. She kept going back to the judge for justice. She did not give up when he told her no for some time. She continued asking him for what she wanted until she finally got her answer. Luke 18:1-5 This is what we should do as well. God's timing is perfect and His ways are sure. Wait on Him and as you do, let Him have His way in your life, molding and shaping your character to make you more like Jesus.
We must understand there are conditions to prayer. In order for God to hear our prayer, we must not have unconfessed sin in our hearts. Isaiah 59:2 reads, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there are any wicked ways in you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. This could be a thought pattern, unforgiveness or a destructive habit. You can be sure that if you ask the Lord to show you, He will indeed reveal it to you. If you are holding onto a grudge against someone, forgive them. This is something we are commanded to do. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive your transgressions." Mark 11:25 When we forgive, we are releasing that person who wronged or hurt us to God. We are not saying that what they did was right, rather, we are letting go of all unforgiveness so that we don't become bitter and resentful. The person we ultimately free is ourselves. Once we truly forgive, there is a peace that will flood our soul. God will heal your heart like only He can do.
We have such a loving, gracious Father who wants to help us in our time of need. He stands ready, but it is up to us to ask and believe according to the will of God. What is the will of God you may be asking? The answer is found in His word. We need to consistently stay in His word; it is there you will find answers to life's questions, peace and joy. God's word is His love letter to you and me. Jesus tells us, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 15:7 As we abide (or are in daily communion with Jesus) and His words abide in us-these words will transform our hearts and minds making us more like Jesus. Our desires will change so that our will aligns with God's will. Prayer is not getting God to do what we want. Prayer is seeking God's will and if what we are praying for does not line up with His will, then we should say, not my will but Your will be done.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23-24 We have this promise from the Lord Jesus Himself, that whatever we ask in His name will be done. "In His name" is asking anything that He Himself would ask for and it will line up with the word of God.
Jesus tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace with confidence. Lay your requests at the foot of the cross. Immerse yourself in the word of God and hide it in your heart. Pray with confidence knowing that your Father hears you. Pray persistently. Do not give up until you receive your answer from God. It may be days, weeks, months or possibly years, however, it is in God's time and He knows what is best for us. My marriage was restored by God after a separation of two years. If I had not waited on my Lord's answer and prayed standing firm until I heard from Him (not everyone else around me), then my husband and I would not be back together today. Don't stop short of your answer. Hold on my friend. God's word to you, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
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