My husband once brought me a t-shirt that read, “Never underestimate a woman with a prayer and a plan.” I like that because when we pray, no matter how large or small we are, or if we are male, female, young, or old when we pray and get revelation from heaven on our situation, we are far more powerful than we look. As I say, “I’m bigger on the inside than the outside”.
Andrew Murray once said, “The man (or woman –my addition) who mobilises the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelisation in history.”
The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, “…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced crops.” God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.
Jesus said, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
God’s word is full of His promises regarding prayer if we only take the time to look.
Psalm 107:28-30 says, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.”
Matthew 7:7 states, “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 14:13-14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”.
Yet we can often underestimate the power of prayer and the plans and strategies God will reveal to us when we pray. When the world looks like it is going a little crazy, and solutions are few and far between, that is not the time to run around screaming or throwing our hands up in the air in defeat, that is the time to pray. It’s the time to pray and seek God’s face for the answers.
If the devil can keep people from praying and believing in the power and effectiveness of their prayers, he will. He will put pressure on us, throw smoke screens in our eyes, remind us of our failings, and try to deceive, cheat, and lie to convince us that we don’t have time to pray or try to cause us to wonder if it works.
However, I encourage you to no longer fall for his lies and schemes. Jesus said to pray and to pray without ceasing. (Matthew 6:9-13)
He prayed He taught his disciples to pray, and wherever and whenever people have determined in their hearts to pray in faith and according to God’s word, amazing things have happened.
When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Mueller, a man who received astonishing answers to prayer, replied, “Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down, and when I arise. And the answers are always coming.”
That constant attitude of prayer will bring us into a place of supernatural protection, deliverance, comfort, and communion with God. “It clears the vision; steadies the nerves; stiffens the purpose; and sweetens and strengthens the spirit.” (S.D. Gordon)
Don’t get too busy to pray today; take the time to seek God, to pray His word, and to believe that He will and is working to deliver you and answer your prayers.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be obvious to everyone. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)