The Power of Prayer

Ephesians 3:14-21 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

There is power in prayer. Tennyson: More is wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.

We have seen some incredible answers to prayer this year.

Here in our church.

Down in Haiti.

In our lives God has kept us.

1. The LORD Jesus Christ is the focus of our prayers.

Think about the way He lived!

Lady with Lotto ticket the other  night at the Deli.

Homeless, no record of any possessions. 

He is the One Who opened up the way for us to the Father.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Our prayers are to Him and for His Kingdom coming to this earth.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

He set the example in prayer while here on earth and continues to intercede for us in heaven.

The prayer life of Jesus.

The LORDs Prayer

The Great Intercessory Prayer

His teaching on prayer

Praying from the cross

2. He is Able to Do Immeasurably More Than We Ask or Imagine.

We forget this often. We are reminded when He does this.

Our prayers of faith unite with God Almighty and He moves mountains.

All of the faith missions of centuries past have begun in prayer and depended on prayer.

3. The Power of Prayer is His Spirit Within Us.

Faith is the gift of God. Ephesians 2.8-9

Knowing Him is a gift. John 4.10

Knowing His will is a gift. Romans 3.1-3

The Holy Spirit is a gift. Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

4. Answers to Prayer Are For His Glory.

"Why this difference between the early church and the church of Jesus Christ today(1923)?...early church, It was a praying church...not merely occasionally, but where they all 'continued steadfastly...in prayers.' They all prayed--not a select few, but the whole membership of the church--and all prayed continuously with steadfast determination...a praying church and a praying ministry! Ah such a church and such a ministry can achieve anything that ought to be achieved. It will go steadily on, beating down all opposition, surmounting every obstacle, conquering every foe, just as much today as it did in the days of the apostles." RA Torrey

It is difficult to get to the point of knowing His Will and seeking His Kingdom and praying for His Glory. All of Jesus' prayers were grounded in these subjects.

 The pathway to the place Jesus was at is one of surrender to God's will, willingness to be made nothing and oneness with our Father in Heaven. 

We need to discover more and more the power of prayer. May our entire libes be a prayer to God. May we live in His Presence.