Jesus urged His disciples to trust God as a loving Father, and taught them to pray, asking God for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and the ability to forgive others, and even for our daily food.
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. ’ '
Christians claim that God is all-powerful, all-knowing (even if we find all of that hard to experience). God has given us a free will. We always have a choice. We can choose to pray and communicate with Him or not. God will never force Himself on you if you don’t want Him.
Yes God knows our thoughts, but He responds to our prayers. The privilege of prayer is ours but the power of prayer is God’s. We’re invited and commanded to pray
Both the invitation and command are real and for our benefit. Our dependence on God leads us to ask for what we need.
While we should not presume on God’s automatic care, we should still come in trusting dependence to ask for what we need.
Matthew 7:7-11 NIV “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!
We want to align with God’s will. As we align with God’s will, it’s okay to keep calling on asking on behalf of others and ourselves. In fact God expects us to continue asking.
There is nothing wrong with repeatedly asking for the same thing. As long as what you are praying for is within the will of God, keep asking until God grants your request or removes the desire from your heart. Sometimes God forces us to wait for an answer to our prayers in order to teach us patience and perseverance. Sometimes we ask for something when granting it is not yet in God’s timing for our lives. Sometimes we ask for something that is not God’s will for us keep on asking, keep on knocking, and keep on seeking until God grants your request or convinces you that your request is not His will for you.
But What if the Answer is No?
When we ask for specific things like healing of a loved one and God heals that person, or when we ask for the resources for something specific and God answers with the right resources at the right time we praise and thank God and we say to all who will listen "prayer is indeed powerful.
But do we say the same thing when God says no?
Prayer does have power no matter how God answers. Prayer has power even before we get God's answer. Here's why:
Prayer Connects Us to the God
2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Prayer is a conversation with God. We can have this conversation anytime and anywhere. We do not have to get in a line or make an appointment. We will never be put on hold or told to leave a message. This is direct communication with the God who knows us intimately and loves us infinitely. And in this communication, we find a connection to the true source of our strength.
Prayer Demonstrates Our Faith
Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
When we pray, we demonstrate our confidence that He exists, that He cares about us, and that He has the power to do something about whatever we are praying about. Faith pleases God, and by it, mountains are moved.
Matthew 21:21-22 NIV Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
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. ’ '
Christians claim that God is all-powerful, all-knowing (even if we find all of that hard to experience). God has given us a free will. We always have a choice. We can choose to pray and communicate with Him or not. God will never force Himself on you if you don’t want Him.
Yes God knows our thoughts, but He responds to our prayers. The privilege of prayer is ours but the power of prayer is God’s. We’re invited and commanded to pray
Both the invitation and command are real and for our benefit. Our dependence on God leads us to ask for what we need.
While we should not presume on God’s automatic care, we should still come in trusting dependence to ask for what we need.
Matthew 7:7-11 NIV “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!
We want to align with God’s will. As we align with God’s will, it’s okay to keep calling on asking on behalf of others and ourselves. In fact God expects us to continue asking.
There is nothing wrong with repeatedly asking for the same thing. As long as what you are praying for is within the will of God, keep asking until God grants your request or removes the desire from your heart. Sometimes God forces us to wait for an answer to our prayers in order to teach us patience and perseverance. Sometimes we ask for something when granting it is not yet in God’s timing for our lives. Sometimes we ask for something that is not God’s will for us keep on asking, keep on knocking, and keep on seeking until God grants your request or convinces you that your request is not His will for you.
But What if the Answer is No?
When we ask for specific things like healing of a loved one and God heals that person, or when we ask for the resources for something specific and God answers with the right resources at the right time we praise and thank God and we say to all who will listen "prayer is indeed powerful.
But do we say the same thing when God says no?
Prayer does have power no matter how God answers. Prayer has power even before we get God's answer. Here's why:
Prayer Connects Us to the God
2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Prayer is a conversation with God. We can have this conversation anytime and anywhere. We do not have to get in a line or make an appointment. We will never be put on hold or told to leave a message. This is direct communication with the God who knows us intimately and loves us infinitely. And in this communication, we find a connection to the true source of our strength.
Prayer Demonstrates Our Faith
Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
When we pray, we demonstrate our confidence that He exists, that He cares about us, and that He has the power to do something about whatever we are praying about. Faith pleases God, and by it, mountains are moved.
Matthew 21:21-22 NIV Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Prayer Pauses Us
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Prayer is not our usual first step when we find ourselves in a tight spot. What we do is, "Post about it on social media”, “Stay up half the night fretting about it” or “Order something online that will make you feel better.”
Here's the solution for that.
James 5:13-16 NIV Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Prayer puts us on holy hold. It halts our striving and fretting which is usually fruitless or at the very least premature. Prayer stops us long enough for God to get a word in. When we pause to pray, we are often prevented from doing something that is a waste of time or foolish and may make the situation worse.
Prayer Aligns Us with God's Will
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
This scripture says, “pray on all occasions.”. It doesn't say “pray on all occasions except the occasion when you’re discouraged” or “pray on all occasions except the occasion when you can do something about the problem yourself.” It says just see “pray on all occasions.”
Prayer Sets Us on a Path to Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
If you look at the beginning of verse six it looks like Paul is saying “just chill out”. When you are in a tight spot if someone tells you yo "just chill out" one of two things happen, you get upset with the person that give the advice or the result is just the opposite of ", chilling out"
But I’m so glad that God doesn’t tell us to “just chill out”. Verse 7 offers us an alternative to worry: prayer. We start from a position of anxiousness but stay there. We move to prayer, resulting in thankfulness, and peace.
Prayer Unites Us as a Body
Acts 2:42-44 NIV They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.
When a prayer group or an entire church congregation unites in prayer for a specific answer, they are united by their belief in the power of prayer. Even if the specific request is not answered with a yes they are still unified in heart and purpose.
The body of Christ has a lot to split it apart today, and the enemy has gained ground in tearing us apart in recent years. Few things turn unbelievers away from the church like the dissension they see today. On the other hand nothing draws them in like a unified family. A unified family even with disagreements causes many unbelievers to want to be a part of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Prayer is not our usual first step when we find ourselves in a tight spot. What we do is, "Post about it on social media”, “Stay up half the night fretting about it” or “Order something online that will make you feel better.”
Here's the solution for that.
James 5:13-16 NIV Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Prayer puts us on holy hold. It halts our striving and fretting which is usually fruitless or at the very least premature. Prayer stops us long enough for God to get a word in. When we pause to pray, we are often prevented from doing something that is a waste of time or foolish and may make the situation worse.
Prayer Aligns Us with God's Will
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
This scripture says, “pray on all occasions.”. It doesn't say “pray on all occasions except the occasion when you’re discouraged” or “pray on all occasions except the occasion when you can do something about the problem yourself.” It says just see “pray on all occasions.”
Prayer Sets Us on a Path to Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
If you look at the beginning of verse six it looks like Paul is saying “just chill out”. When you are in a tight spot if someone tells you yo "just chill out" one of two things happen, you get upset with the person that give the advice or the result is just the opposite of ", chilling out"
But I’m so glad that God doesn’t tell us to “just chill out”. Verse 7 offers us an alternative to worry: prayer. We start from a position of anxiousness but stay there. We move to prayer, resulting in thankfulness, and peace.
Prayer Unites Us as a Body
Acts 2:42-44 NIV They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.
When a prayer group or an entire church congregation unites in prayer for a specific answer, they are united by their belief in the power of prayer. Even if the specific request is not answered with a yes they are still unified in heart and purpose.
The body of Christ has a lot to split it apart today, and the enemy has gained ground in tearing us apart in recent years. Few things turn unbelievers away from the church like the dissension they see today. On the other hand nothing draws them in like a unified family. A unified family even with disagreements causes many unbelievers to want to be a part of the body of Christ.
Prayer Makes Us More Like Christ
Philippians 3:10-11 NIV I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
One way we can be like someone is to do what they do, and the perfect example for us is Jesus.
Jesus prayed. He prayed when He was baptized.
Luke 3:21-22 NIV When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
He prayed on the mountain.
Matthew 14:23-24 NIV After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
He prayed in the early morning.
Mark 1:35 NIV Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
He prayed for Himself.
John 17:1-5 NIV After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
He prayed for His disciples.
John 17:6-19 NIV “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
He prayed for all believers.
John 17:20-26 NIV “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Sometimes, I’m tempted not to pray if I am not sure that I will get a “yes” from God. But Jesus prayed even though He knew God would not—could not, for the sake of love—grant His plea, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me”. And then, with the strength He found by connecting with His Father through prayer, Jesus prayed the most powerful prayer of all: “yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:41-42 NIV He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
The power of prayer is not in its ending but in its beginning. The power of prayer is not so much in God’s answer as in our asking in the first place. When we are under pressure we might say “all we can do is pray” But when we understand prayer’s true power, we realize a far greater “All” We realize All God can do with us, through us, and for us when we pray.
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