It would help us to be reminded about what prayer can do. In order to do this, we first need to see the assurance of prayer. It truly avails much (James 5:16). It is heard and answered by God. In 1 John 5:14-15, it says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” God is a loving Father who is not only willing but also anxious to grant the petitions and supply the needs of His children (Matthew 7:7-11).
Let’s consider some examples of its power. It saves the penitent child of God from sin. In 1 John 2:1, the Bible says, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” and in Acts 8:18-24, Luke tells us the story of Simon the sorcerer. It says, “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.’ But Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.’”
It also helps the child of God overcome temptation. In James 1:2-8, James tells us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” It also helps the child of God to conduct himself as he should toward others (Matthew 7:1-12).
Lastly, we need to look at the evidences of the power of prayer or the blessings. It gives us peace that passes understanding. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It helps in time of temptation. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you but such is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” It provides wisdom (James 1:5). It gives us physical necessities (Matthew 6:11, 13). It gives us forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; Acts 8:22), and it gives us all good things. In James 1:17, James tells us, “Every good thing given and every perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
Let us never forget how powerful prayer truly is and what a blessing it is that we are able to speak to our Creator!
Joseph Lachausse