The Most Powerful and Impactful Thing A Christian Can Do in This Chaotic World
I remember talking to a pastor who tracked his church’s prayer requests all year long and then at the end of every year he made a praise list which documented the answers to prayer that their church family had experienced. I remember him telling me that every year he was completely blown away by the power of prayer as evidenced by God’s faithfulness and love in answering their prayers!
I have had many experiences in my life where I have seen prayer requests answered in the way that I requested. Honestly, There have also been times in my life that I have made requests to God and the answer has been “No” and as a follower of Jesus Christ I take comfort in knowing that God’s ways are far above mine and I trust his plan over mine or anyone else’s. “No” is not an easy answer to accept, but there certainly have been times when God’s “No” made sense to me later on when I looked back on the situation. When I pray to God, I know that he hears me and that I am bringing requests to an all-powerful and all-knowing God. When I pray, things happen, and I am changed.
When I pray, things happen, and I am changed.
Here are a couple of verses on the power of prayer:
James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
1 John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
With all of the chaos going on in our world around us we want to do something to make a positive impact, but we often feel helpless to make a difference because of the chaos that seems to be out of control all around us.
So, what is the most powerful thing that a Christian can do? The answer: Persistent prayer!
Pastor Michael Catt says it this way, “A powerful prayer is one that does not let go. It does not quit. It is profitable and powerful because it is persistent.”
God’s Word is full of verses that tell us to pray persistently to God. Here are a few of them:
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” ~ Romans 12:12
“ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” ~ Ephesians 6:18
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” ~ Colossians 4:2
So, I hope that this is an encouragement to you to renew your prayer life. To spend time intentionally devoted to prayer each day and to spend time throughout your day communicating with God!
"Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." ~ Max Lucado