NEVER say the ONLY thing I can do is pray. If you believe that prayer is that ineffectual, why do it? Prayer is never an ‘only’ … remember what it is and what is accomplished. Many churches have Prayer Chains that people can contact to request prayer for their need. Most of these requests fall into either a request for healing or for comfort (especially at a loss of a loved one). but there are other types of requests.
The point in this is that when crisis or issues beyond one’s ability to effectively respond to… the ‘foxhole’ mentality kicks in – we seek help, and often that is help from others to pray. So… never consider your act of prayer to be an ‘only’. Do you understand the power, the effect, the potency of prayer? Do you appreciate what it can accomplish?
Look at just 3 verses:
“Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22)
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
There are other scriptures I could use to reinforce my belief in the power of prayer, but the positive ‘will’, ‘faith’, and ‘believe’ should provide a solid foundation on the power and effectiveness of prayer
There are 2 emphases I’d like to present: 1- prayer of agreement and 2 – effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer of agreement:
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, NKJV)
I have always been taken with the first word – again. If ‘again’ then the Lord had made this a teaching previously. The point is when we stand in agreement concerning anything – it WILL BE DONE. And remember too that the Lord is in the midst when prayer is sent forth.
Effectual Prayer
Obviously, the ‘anything’ is important. And James responds to this:
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3)
There is always a context and mindset. Prayer is not mindless. Prayer is very serious so we shouldn’t ever view it is ‘only’. When and whatever you pray for is something you are presenting to the Lord for His intervention. This should never be regarded lightly. And when someone asks you to pray for them, then they acknowledge the power of prayer and honor you to stand with them in their need. Intercession according to Google:
“Intercession or intercessory prayer is the act of praying … on behalf of others.”
Prayer is a powerful weapon we have to wield against anything – not flesh and blood – standing in the way (2Corinthians 10:4). Prayer is your way of bringing those people and needs to the One who can answer. This is never insignificant.
