The Power of Prayer

Fresh Manna 2009© by Pastor Tim Burt

1 Cor. 14:14-15 I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand.

Yesterday morning, the Pastors of our church met together to pray. We gathered in our chapel and began to talk about some of the things we noted God had been doing in our midst. We talked about a number of things that we felt we needed to pray about. It came up in the discussion how the enemy of our soul often works to attack leadership. He may work to attack our heath, or create obstacles to hinder what we are trying to accomplish. He tries to create schism and division. He tries to attack finances. He is a ruthless and wicked enemy that uses whatever tactics he can to stop leadership because if he does that, he then effectively hinders that leader from leading and influencing others toward God. Consequently, we felt impressed to pray for the Pastoral Staff and the church’s leadership recognizing and being aware of the devil’s devices. We prayed what we knew to pray with our minds and we prayed in tongues for all those things we did not know how to pray for. Most of what needs to be prayed is really hidden from people and consequently God gives the gift of tongues to experience a more effective prayer life.

1 Cor. 14:2 helps us understand this saying, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” Then Romans 8:26 helps us see the need for this gift and the help the Holy Spirit gives through tongues saying, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” And 1 Cor. 14:14-15 helps us see praying with our understanding and with tongues works together in tandem saying, “For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand.”

The things we prayed about were all about people and the plan of God going forth unhindered by Satan and with God’s blessing. We prayed for a period of time together and then went back to our day’s duties. We left knowing in our heart that we had prayed in faith before the Lord and with confidence that God would work in behalf of what we prayed.

Last night I received a phone call from the wife of one of our Pastors. Their son had been driving in their car when a SUV went through a stop sign and broadsided him. The car was completely totaled and the police said that there was no way he should have lived. An ambulance took him to a hospital but other than a few scrapes and bruises, he was fine and sent home. They repeatedly heard that this could kind of accident should have killed or at least seriously hurt him. Divine protection for our Pastors and leaders and their families was one of the things we prayed for that morning. Glory to God!

As a Christian, do you pray? Do you know what the expressed will of God is to pray? 1 John 5:14-15 teaches us why it is so important to know the will of God and have faith in it. It says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

Do you have a group of people that you know believe in and have faith in the power of prayer? Let me show you one more example of why this is so important.

King Nebuchadnezzar was upset because he had a dream and none of his wisest advisors could help him interpret it. It made him so mad he planned on killing every one of his wise men. When Daniel heard, this is how he handled the situation.

Daniel 2:16-20 (MKJV) Then Daniel went in and asked of the king that he would give him time, and that he would make known the meaning to the king.Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might pray for the mercies of God in Heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. And Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.” Daniel gave the interpretation to the king and saved not only their lives but the lives of all the wise men.

Here is what Daniel’s life reflected.

First that he had an intimate relationship with God. He had confidence that he could go to God and that God would help Him.

Secondly, he had a group of godly trustworthy friends that he could take a problem to knowing they had faith in the power of prayer.

Third, Daniel never took credit to make himself look good. He gave all the glory to God and with great thanksgiving. This is the power of intimacy with God that creates true heart faith in prayer to the one who alone helps us succeed through life! Glory to Him!

It isn’t always how many people we have praying for a situation. It’s understanding that our human understanding is highly limited in what we can figure out. The Holy Spirit of God knows all things and what needs to be prayed. This is why the gift of tongues has been given to us. To have people that know the will of God and that will stand in faith is more important that large numbers of people that don’t. I pray that you will have this kind of intimate walk with God and at least a few friends that have faith in prayer along with you!

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt