The Power of Prayer

Scripture

You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!
~John 14:13-14, NLT

Quote

How much more would we pray if we really believed that our prayers were effective?

~Billy Graham

I’ve heard well meaning people say, “Pray can change us but it cannot change God.” Some people believe that prayer is worship but not warfare: I believe it is both. Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! So the Father knows our needs before we ask but this is not a discouragement to ask because Jesus says in the same sermon, Ask and keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Seek and keep on seeking, and you will find what you are looking for. Knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. George W. Truett said, “The LAW of prayer is to ask.” Asking is not the only thing we do when we pray but it is commanded by Jesus and it is a part of the model pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

I very much agree that our prayers should begin with praise and adoration with a mixture of thanksgiving but there is no sin in bringing your petitions to the Father. Why did Jesus say in John 16, I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use My name. As an earthly father, I am in a position to grant request. Of course I am limited but I can grant request when my children ask and ask in the right way. Their request has no affect or bearing on my character or purpose. But in many cases, their asking and the way they ask, tells me that they are ready to recieve. I would be glad to give them more advice but they are not ready to receive. When they humble themselves and ask, I will respond. James the brother of our LORD said, “You are ‘have nots’ because you ask not.”  Billy Graham believed that the prayers of Moses, Samuel, Elijah and Daniel changed the course of history and I am in agreement. In too many places prayer has become a tradition, a formality, a spiritual exercise with no power beyond itself and I don’t believe in such anemic prayers. There is more power in prayer than there is in the atom. The problem is–we don’t believe it.

Extra

I try to make it a rule not to complain because so many of you are dealing with real problems and some would be glad to set on a GRAND JURY. Unfortunately for me, it destroys my routine and we all know how cranky I get when my routine is upset. I have to be at the Courthouse from 8:15-4:30, Monday through Thursday. You working stiffs will not be the only ones looking forward to FRIDAY this week. So I went to my office last night and wrote this blog but I don’t know that I will be able to keep that pace.

GRACE POINT, you can be looking forward to a prayer meeting Wednesday night. I will not have time to prepare.

God bless you, have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *