The Power of Prayer

We have seen much evidence of the power of prayer in our answers to prayer.  This should encourage those of us who pray to pray even more.  And it should encourage those of us who are not praying to start praying. Prayer is very powerful.

Prayer Overcomes Natural Laws

Jos 10:12-14, the sun and moon stood still after Joshua prayed to the Lord.  There was no rain in Israel for three and a half years after Elijah prayed, Jas 5:16-17.  The angel released Peter from prison in Acts 12:11-12, in answer to the prayers of those at John Mark’s mother’s house.  When the Jews were hungry and thirsty, they asked God for food and water.  He gave them manna from heaven and water from a rock.  God calms storms, divides waters, darkens the sun, intensifies the light, etc.  Elijah prayed and the fire of the Lord fell, 1 Ki 18:37-38.  When we pray for special needs, we’re talking to the Lord who can move mountains.

Prayer Overwhelms Principalities and Powers

Eph 6:12, 18-19.  In Daniel 6, the Lord overwhelmed the earthly princes by protecting Daniel in the lion’s den.  In Daniel 10, the Lord overwhelmed the heavenly principalities when Daniel prayed.  So, when we pray according to 1 Tim 2:1-3, we know that God can overwhelm the powers to help us lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  When we pray for those in authority God hears.  Rom 8:31 says, “If God be for us, who can be against us”?

Prayer Overpowers Death

Jas 5:16-17.  One of the worst consequences of sin is death.  Hezekiah prayed and God spared him from dying and gave him fifteen more years of life.  God raised a boy from the dead when Elisha prayed unto the Lord, 2 Ki 4:33-37   We pray for the health of a number of people and God hears.  God answered your prayers for my mother’s recent surgery in a magnificent way.  And beyond our physical health, when we call upon the name of the Lord He saves us and gives us eternal life, Rom 10:13.  That’s perfect victory over death.

Prayer Overflows with God’s Help

Eph 3:20.  God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.  He opens doors of utterance, Eph 6:18-20.  He supplies us with sufficient grace in times of weakness, 2 Cor 12:7-10.  When we intercede for the lost, we are praying with Jesus, Heb 7:25, for the salvation of their souls.  You can see God’s divine intervention in setting up divine appointments with the lost nearly every week.  

Conclusion to the Power of Prayer

If you are already one who prays, dedicate yourself to this powerful ministry of prayer.  There is power in prayer.  If you are one who hasn’t spent time in prayer, then get started.  You will be entering the battlefield as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.