The Power of Prayer

January’s theme, the power of prayer, gives us instructions on how to have an effective prayer life. Many times we pray and we do not receive what we have prayed for, We then proceed to pacify ourselves with this overused and misguided statement, “maybe it just is not God’s will” or maybe it is not time yet. We need to examine our prayer life and truly see if our prayer life possesses any power.

 

Anytime we doubt that the God of Israel wants the very best for us or it is not His will for us to be whole in every facet of our life, we need instruction in how to pray. It is important that when we pray, we connect up to the power source, which is the God of Israel. So, for the purpose of proper instruction, when you see the word “prayer“, think of it as a prayer-connection. The power is always there! Our ability to be in position to connect up each and every time we pray is what needs to be examined.

 

There are specific spiritual laws in the word of God that gives instructions on how to be effective in prayer. Failure to be taught properly and lack of adherence to the word of God on a consistent basis in our daily life is the primary cause of an ineffective prayer life. We usually use prayer as a last result. When we cannot do anything else about our difficult situation, we pray. When need to think of prayer as a way of staying connected to the power, which is the God of Israel. This will require us to live righteously. The God of Israel always hears the prayers of the righteous because the righteous consistently stay connected to the power.

 

Along with living a righteous life, which I personally feel is the first requirement to having a powerful prayer life, there are other spiritual laws and techniques that we must develop in order that our prayer life is successful. In having power with our prayers this does not mean that every prayer we pray will be answered in the way we feel it should. It does mean that by staying connected to the God of Israel, we will know why things are the way they are, and he will strengthen our hearts in whatever trial or tribulation we are faced with. We will not live in doubt, which is the ultimate prayer killer.

 

The scriptures instructs us that when we pray, enter into our secret closet, and shut the door. (St. Matthew 6:6). This is a spiritual technique that we must develop. Many times we pray out of despair and the door is wide open. We must be able to go into that secret part of our minds, where we keep all of our secrets, secrets that we have not told even our closest friends, and pray to our true friend which is the God of Israel. This helps us to center our mind on the solution and not let our emotions become overwhelmed with the challenge at hand. We are also instructed that when we pray, believe that we shall receive what we are praying for. (St. Mark 11:24) This means regardless to how impossible it may seem in the physical or material realm, we must always believe that it is possible in the spiritual realm. Once we connect to the God of Israel in spirit and in truth, all things are possible!!

 

Jesus Christ in his teachings on prayer stated that if we have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, whatsoever we ask shall be done. With this principle being true we must also realize that it only take doubt the size of a mustard seed to hinder our prayer life. A key spiritual element in successful prayer is faith. Hebrew 11:6 reads without faith it is impossible to please God. This is why it is important to meditate and study the word of God and align ourselves with people whose faith is unwavering. Faith cometh by hearing (Romans 10:17). We should make sure that what we are hearing is truly in line with the scriptures.

 

Another principle we must abide in is being thankful. Make sure that we always give the God of Israel thanks and praise for what he has already done. Just like we get stressed when we consistently get calls from someone who is always asking for something we should be mindful that the God of Israel would also love to hear from us when things are going well. If you look at the book of Psalms you can readily see that it is filled with psalms of praise and thankfulness along with psalms petitioning for deliverance. Pattern our prayer life in this manner. This helps us to stay connected to the God of Israel and not have to “plug-in” when a crisis arises.

 

In my conclusion, one of the greatest spiritual laws as it relates to our prayer life is forgiveness. It is an effort in futility if we pray and have not forgiven our brothers and sisters. In order for our prayers to be effective they must be rooted in the principle of love and this is impossible if we are holding a grudge against anyone. We cannot freely come to the God of Israel when a part of our inner being is lodge in holding something against another. We also are not righteous if we fail to forgive one another. Forgiveness allows us to go free and use this energy in a more positive way. In realizing that we all make mistakes we allow for the God of Israel to work in our brothers and sisters as He is working in us. If we desire for our prayers to be answered, we must forgive. Forgiveness is a powerful spiritual tool that can release the power of the God of Israel into our lives.

 

These are just some of the spiritual laws and techniques that are necessary to have an effective prayer life. Remember that the shortness is not in the God of Israel, it is in us. He stands ready to do the impossible if we “only believe”

 

Peace

Elder Harvey Beavers Jr.

May the God of Israel continue to bless us and give us the desire to seek true understanding of His Word.