What PRAYER Accomplishes
Whenever someone has a need, oftentimes we say: “I will be praying for you, for the person affected and for the situation.” Then we may pray, maybe even haphazardly. Then as the day passes by, even though we really meant to pray, our day simply became overly busy, and we forgot. Sometimes we may pray, not asking specifically for the need we really wanted or needed God to answer.
Would we believe the statement: Our prayer life is vitally important?
The Bible records how the Lord Jesus was comforting His disciples, teaching them the importance of deep, intimate conversation with the Father. In helping His followers understand, Jesus spoke of His Oneness with God.
“Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
(The Gospel According to John 14: 8-15 NASB)
Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?
He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?
The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative,
but the Father abiding in Me does His works.
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me;
otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayers BUT unoffered prayers. These are blessings unopened and miracles remaining dormant—simply because we do not ask. May we never be people who say, “Well, I will just simply wait and see what happens.”
We are to PRAY! This is a direct command given to every believer by our Savior. It’s not optional, for we have been given a blank check signed in divine power and love. As we actively engage in prayer, we bring our hopes, our dreams, our fears, and our needs before the throne of grace. Our prayers are not ritual or an obligation but reveal our obedient faithfulness. As we ask in Jesus’s name, then we ask, reflecting the glory of God to the watching world, for the impact of answered prayer extends far beyond the individual. The effect ripples outward, touching those around us. We witness a tangible answer to our prayers, and this becomes a powerful testimony of God’s active personal presence with us, for those watching our walk of faith will also be confronted with the undeniable reality of a God who listens & acts. Answered prayer becomes a beacon, a LIGHT, illuminating the darkness and pointing others toward a Living, Responsive God.
Let us begin to become more serious, more directional, more specific in our prayer life, and let us see what God can do. Pray with boldness; Act with faith; & See the unleashed power of God in the world and in our lives.
- Do we care about someone whose mind is closed to the gospel?
PRAY!
- Do we know someone going through a really tough time?
PRAY!
- Do we know a situation where someone needs the power of God to move?
PRAY!
- How closely do we really want to walk with Jesus?
PRAY!
- Our spiritual life is directly affected by our prayer life because prayer changes outcomes & our prayer changes lives & our prayer changes us.
Yes, we pray for others, for their needs, and for ourselves, for our heart concerns and our needs, but what if we began asking God an additional prayer—
“Father God,
Jesus said: “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
Lord, I believe it.
So, Lord, I am asking: Would you please reveal to me the value of my prayer? Would you show me the person you desire me to be? Lord, lead me to see me as You see me, and Lord lead me to walk toward the life You have created for me to live through You. Mold me, shape me, and give me the eyes of faith—today—so that I can truly know You more intimately. My future on earth and someday in heaven, securely rests only in You.
- Thank You, GOD, for the answer to my prayer, the one only YOU can give.
- Thank You, God, for the eyes of sight only You can provide.
- Thank You, God for helping me see me as You see me.
I ask, for all of these, in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”