The Power of Prayer

In scripture all the great men and women of God displayed an affinity for prayer. They prayed not as a last resort, but as the first act of righteousness. They prayed to find guidance, they prayed for healing (and, believing, they often received it miraculously), and they prayed to bare their souls to God. These righteous men and women brought their anguish and sorrow and fears and repentance and fury to God in prayer.

Why did they do this? Why did they pray?
Today’s pastors would have you believe that the purpose of prayer is to change us into better versions of ourselves. But this is merely new thought ideology speaking.

In the bible prayer was used to change the world and to deepen our relationship with God. Prayer and supplication from His servant is pleasing to God. A man declaring himself powerful is repugnant to God: ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’ (1 Peter 5:5). Prayer is always an act of humility, the evidence of a humble heart. For it is only when a man humbles himself that he prays. This is why prayer has gone out of vogue, as a humble spirit is today considered a backwards thing.
When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, did he declare ‘I am awesome, I am wonderful, I have power over these lions?’ No, he would’ve gotten eaten if he had said those things. Lions don’t cower before man—but they do answer to God. Though the book of Daniel doesn’t say Daniel prayed in the den, it does say that God sent His angel to protect Daniel, and elsewhere in the book we see Daniel praying, even though it was declared illegal.

What did Jonah do in the whale? Well, he probably panicked, but Jonah 2:1 tells us that he prayed. What of David? We still have record of dozens of his prayers, where he pours out his anguish, fear, and fury to God.

In the greatest example in scripture we see our own Savior praying. Jesus prayed often, alone and among people, He prayed earnestly, fervently, and always with belief that His Father would answer. He taught us to pray. He showed us how to pray.

Today it has gone out of vogue. This is a tragedy. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Turn to God. Not just when times are hard, but always and with belief. Apart from God we can do nothing. The world is trying to convince us of the exact opposite. But we need God, everyday. Pray like your life and very soul depend on it—because they do. Prayer is vital to a believer’s life. Do you spend more time complaining than you do praying?

Go into your room, shut the door, switch off your devices, and pray. And then, be silent before God, and wait on Him.