The Power of Prayer
What is prayer? Prayer is one of the ways in which we communicate with God. It is a two-way conversation or communion with or between God and man. Prayer is an act of total confidence and assurance in the plan and purpose of God.
Prayer is a weapon designated by God to fight and disarm principalities, powers, and world rulers. Prayer is the most powerful weapon in the world. Man says that the atomic bomb is the most powerful weapon, but prayer is even more powerful than an atomic bomb. There is a power in prayer that when applied properly makes the rulers of this world tremble.
Prayer requires belief and trust in God, placing our faith with God’s faith. Prayer wraps its arms around its object. There is no fury in prayer. It does not screech, but reaches towards needs. Prayer lifts burdens. It does not impose, but gets under a situation. Prayer produces patience and tolerance. Prayer brings us confidence, strength, and endurance through the storms and trials of life. In order for us to pray and get results, we must exercise faith. There is a prayer of faith, which releases the sick from pain, and causes men to be saved, healed, delivered, and set free from the bondage of sin and demonic oppression or possession.
Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
Prayer is of vital importance to God and man. Prayer is a position of negotiating with God for situations on behalf of man or circumstances by the unction and leading of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the one of the most powerful ministries in Heaven and Earth. Jesus Christ is ever interceding to the Father in Heaven on our behalf, while the Holy Spirit is ever interceding through His intercessors in the Earth.
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Prayer is not the action of a sledgehammer. Prayer is the desire to release sinners from his fetters. Why do we pray? We pray to hear, to receive, to do, to tell, and to wait on the Master and Lord of our lives. There is a power and an anointing to get into the spirit realm. Flesh cannot take you there. God said, “Pray and do not faint. Do not quit and do not buckle .” Therefore must fight.
I Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
God said, “I will strengthen you where you are weak. I will put strength in your weakness. Where you need to be strengthened, I have an all-sufficient grace. For my grace is sufficient for you.” Paul let us know that prayer is a choice of our will. We have to will ourselves to pray. I have had times of not feeling or possessing any desire to pray. Yet, when I start to pray, then the Holy Spirit takes over. Therefore, we must always pray, “Lord, I pray for the persistency and whatever it takes to pray.”
I know from experience that the enemy will fight us when we pray, because he does not want us to pray. Why? Our prayer defeats the enemy, and tears down everything that he wills. Satan will put every barrier, stumbling - block, and hindrance in our way to hinder us from praying. When we cease to pray, we cease to fight. Prayer disarms principalities and powers. That is the reason we must will our wills to pray, and purpose in our hearts to pray. The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Encourager. Therefore, we must petition the Godhead, “Lord, help me and teach me to pray.”
II Timothy 1:7 – “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.”
The thought of spending time in prayer frightens some. This is the working of the spirit of fear, which is one of the devil’s agents. Prayer is one of life’s greatest blessings, when one understands what it really is and begins to engage himself in prayer. The Lord Jesus calls each of us to a life of prayer. He said that men ought to always pray. Therefore, He encourages us to enter a life of prayer. David, Moses, Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Hanna, and Anna were men and women of prayer. These men and women of faith prayed and saw the results of their prayers. If we are steadfast and pray, trusting God, we will see results of our prayers, as well.
Saints of God, I encourage each of us to enter into God’s presence with prayer and thanksgiving throughout this season. For this is a time of preparation for all God has in store for us as His people and ambassadors in the Earth.
© Vera E Paul
