The Power of Prayer

The one thing man grapples after is power. Much of the violence, abuse, corruption, and lawlessness happening in society today is because people are “power-hungry.” Unfortunately, many are blind to the truth that the power they seek is available to them by being in a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. After accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, prayer is like glue that holds your relationship together. And, of course, the more you pray, study, and obey God’s Word, you grow spiritually, and your character changes—the fruit of Spirit begins to manifest in your life. It is also known as transformation.  That is powerful. A Christian has access to the supernatural power of God’s Spirit—the Holy Spirit—through a life of prayer.

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, was human just like us, prayed hard that it would not rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again. —James 5:16 MSG

One of this generation’s prayer generals is Dr. Cindy Trimm. In her book, The Rules of Engagement, she discusses the power of prayer by using the prophet Elijah as an example. Dr. Trimm writes: “Elijah knew the power of prayer, and throughout his dealings with Ahab, he maintained clear communications to the God of heaven.” She further cites James 5:17, as revealing to us the secret of Elijah’s power. James declares, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly. Earnest prayer from this righteous man produced supernatural results.” (Read James 5:16 for yourself). I passionately believe God’s Word, and that if Elijah prayed earnestly and got powerful results, I can too!

A combination of prayer and God’s Word are weapons that send the devil running until there is another opportune season, which is why we must maintain a prayer life and persist in prayer. (Read Matthew 4:1-11). Have you ever considered why it is so hard to pray because of distractions and obstacles? The enemy knows the power of prayer; however, it is a large number of Christians that are ignorant of the power of prayer. The prayers of the righteous legislate Heaven to intervene in the affairs of men. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”  Now that darkness covers the whole earth and gross darkness the people, it is well time that we arise. Our Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

Let the glory of the Lord be revealed against all that is happening in the world—COVID-19, the invisible enemy, the unprecedented rise in systemic racism and injustice, and the increase in lawlessness.  We are in a battle that can only be won by the supernatural power of God wrought by the Spirit of the Living God, the authority of God’s Word, the name of Jesus and His blood.  God has provided and equipped us to live a victorious life in this present world.

You have heard the adage, “knowledge is power.” Let me give you this truth—knowledge of God through the practice of prayer produces power. The apostles were a force to be reckoned with after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). But do you know what they were doing prior to the descent of that Power? Yes. They were praying in that Upper Room.

Copyright 2013, 2020 Queen E. Phillips. All rights reserved.