Power in Prayer

Power in Prayer

"Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon." ~ Martin Luther

From Matthew 6: 5-8 (NIV)

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Over the last several weeks I’ve taken part in a 21 day period of fasting and prayer.  It’s been a remarkable period where I have grown in my own prayer life.  During this period I have prayed privately and with others.  In the early part of this period I prayed privately.  I spent time with several specific petitions including that the Holy Spirit move throughout this region where I currently live in Virginia and that there be a reawakening of faith, a new revival, renewal, recreation.  I prayed that those who live secular, atheistic, or humanistic lives would come to know the Lord.  I kept seeing my town as a lighthouse or beacon in the darkness.  A place of hope, renewal, and revival.  An epicenter of a new awakening.  When I came together with others the next week there were others praying for the same things.  At the conclusion of one prayer session a woman from the church who was not able to join at the church but prayed at home, sent a text to the group saying she offered the same petitions in her prayers as I had done the week before and what others were offering that day.  When we pray and listen for God’s answer He will reveal his plans for us.  Because so many of us were praying the same things I believe that great things are in store for us.

There is power in prayer.  Through prayer we can plug into the will of God.  There is nothing special to say.  We do not need to know flowery and eloquent language in order to pray.  There are no special postures, clothing, or gestures needed.  Sometimes all we need to say is, “Jesus”.  We need more prayer today.  God answers prayers.  In this I believe.

Psalm 141 - Arrangement by Marty Haugen

The Lord's Prayer by Michael W. Smith