Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven come.
- Prayer is getting God’s will done on Earth.
- Prayer says I need you God.
- I’m inviting you into my life
The word Prayed is found 68 times in the Bible. Most notable:
- Luke 5:16 NIV But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Jesus provides an excellent model:
- Matthew 6:9-13 NIV “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
- your kingdom come,
- your will be done,
- on earth as it is in heaven.
- Give us today our daily bread.
- And forgive us our debts,
- as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- And lead us not into temptation,
- but deliver us from the evil one. ’
The Message
Matthew 7:7-12 NIV
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
- James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- 1 Peter 4:9-11 NIV Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Principles
The idea that power is inherent in prayer is a very popular one. According to the Bible,
- The power of prayer is, quite simply, the power of God, who hears and answers prayer. Consider the following:
1) The Lord God Almighty can do all things; there is nothing impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).
2) The Lord God Almighty invites His people to pray to Him. Prayer to God should be:
- made persistently (Luke 18:1), to Pray and not give up!
- with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), Do not be anxious!
- in faith (James 1:5), If you lake Wisdom, just ask God!
- within the will of God (Matthew 6:10), His Kingdom come, His Will be done!
- for the glory of God (John 14:13-14), God gets all the Glory!
- from a heart right with God (James 5:16).The prayers of the righteous are effective!
3) The Lord God Almighty hears the prayers of His children.
- (Psalm 18:6) “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears”
4) The Lord God Almighty answers prayer.
- “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me” (Psalm 17:6).
- “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).
Another popular idea is that the amount of faith we have determines whether or not God will answer our prayers.
However, sometimes the Lord answers our prayers in spite of our own lack of faith.
- Acts 12, the church prays for Peter’s release from prison (v. 5), and God answers their prayer (vv. 7-11). Peter goes to the door of the prayer meeting and knocks, but those who are praying refuse at first to believe that it is really Peter. They prayed he would be released, but they failed to expect an answer to their prayers.
Closing Thoughts
- The power of prayer does not flow from us; it is not special words we say or the special way we say them or even how often we say them.
- The power of prayer is not based on a certain direction we face or a certain position of our bodies.
- The power of prayer does not come from the use of artifacts or icons or candles or beads.
- The power of prayer comes from the omnipotent One who hears our prayers and answers them.
- Prayer places us in contact with Almighty God, and we should expect almighty results, whether or not He chooses to grant our petitions or deny our requests.
- Whatever the answer to our prayers, the God to whom we pray is the source of the power of prayer
- He can and will answer us, according to His perfect will and timing.