CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 660

“Power Prayer”

Jonah 2:1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. … Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

James 5:13-16 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. … Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven …pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

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Have you ever been approached by a stranger who wants something from you? Perhaps it was a panhandler, street peddler, or some type of sales person. Have you ever considered it an affront when they refer to you as ‘my friend’, ‘buddy’, and other terms usually reserved only for people with whom you have a personal relationship?

Our reference Scripture tells us that ‘The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective’. This righteousness referred to is not our own stemming from being good and doing good deeds. This righteousness only comes through a personal, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. – 1 Peter 3:12

Sometimes we find ourselves praying from the belly of the whale. Due to our disobedience we find ourselves in a pickle that we cannot get ourselves out of. Praise God that He does not forsake His children. Praise Him in that He will forgive us when we repent and return to Him.

“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. – Mal 3:7

If you are having a ‘belly of the whale’ experience, turn to God in prayer. Seek His abiding presence – He will meet you right where you are. Yield to His Holy Spirit’s nudging to repentance and receive His forgiveness and deliverance.

Sometimes we find ourselves praying in intercession for someone else. Peter was imprisoned and bone weary, sleeping between two soldiers. He was not praying but his brothers and sisters in Christ were praying for him through the Holy Spirit.

…the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. – Rom 8:26

Jesus also was interceding before the Father on Peter’s behalf.

He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. – Heb 7:25

Note that Peter had a relationship with his local church body. He knew the power and benefit of the fellowship of believers.

Power prayer begins with relationship. Our abiding relationship with the Father through Jesus’ righteousness brings effective prayer. Our steadfast relationship and commitment to a local body of believers brings powerful and effective prayer as they join in concert with the Holy Spirit and Jesus to intercede before the Father on our behalf.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God