Truth is Freedom, Knowledge is Power

THE POWER OF PRAYER

It has been a long while since I have ventured to write though there has been no shortage of topics to discuss. More than any other subject, the Lord has placed on my heart to speak about the power of prayer.

Prayer is very powerful. Prayer is life-changing and most of all prayer is real. If  you don't pray hopefully you will learn how after reading this. If you already pray, I hope that this will strengthen your desire to grow in your walk with the Lord through prayer. You will also understand how prayer can change your life for the better and strengthen your bond with God.

What is prayer? Prayer is simply the act of communicating with God. It really is that simple. You can pray anytime, anywhere, about anything. Prayer exposes our inner heart. Prayer is all about what is hidden beneath the surface. You may have something bothering you to the point you feel that it is eating away at you. When others ask how you are doing you make no mention of what is truly troubling you. Then you find your quiet place and let it all out before God. Though you can pray anywhere, it is best if you can find a private, quite place to pour out your heart to the Lord.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

 Prayer reveals to God the things that are hidden from others. It also may reveal to you things about yourself that you didn't know.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know," says the Lord. Jeremiah 33:3

Why should you pray? Ultimately there are many reasons to pray, and people pray for all different reasons. Sometimes we pray because we have a need or have family in need. Still, we may pray when we are heavily burdened by many troubles. Other times we pray because we are afraid, worried, or alone. I pray for all of these reasons, but the main reason I pray is to build my relationship with Christ. I desire to grow closer to Him each day.

God's word shares insight on prayer during a time of trouble.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:13-16
  Prayer is the answer to the stresses that have burdened you. Matthew chapter 6 outlines the model prayer. It is not only a great example of how to pray, but also a prayer that even seasoned Christians pray. Jesus used the model prayer as an example of how to pray. He also prayed to the Father very often. When you pray and receive the answer to your prayers it will build your faith tremendously. I could tell you many testimonies about how prayer changed my life, but I would need weeks on end for them all. God the father takes pleasure in hearing and answering your prayers. Remember to always pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. We need the covering of our fellow saints. As always, Truth is Freedom, knowledge is power!