[topicofmonth/_private/tom_header98.html]

Topic of the Month

Click here to see the back issues.

God is Still on His Throne:
The Power and Purpose of Prayer - Part 2

Bro. Jon Mullins
Quartz Hill church of Christ

Previous Articles:
The Power and Purpose of Prayer - Part 1
The Power and Purpose of Prayer - Part 2

In the first two articles of this series, I discussed what prayer is, and what it's purpose is. In this final article, I intend to examine the power that prayer has as we make it a part of our daily life and service to God.

In the first article of this series, we concluded that prayer was communication with God in order to let our joys, triumphs, needs and desires be known to him. In Hebrews 11:6, we find a reference to our faith and our coming to God, but we can also find within this verse a truth about our reliance on the power that God gives to our prayer life. This verse states, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." In believing the words of this verse, we must know and believe that God has great power in answering our prayers.

Many times we find that the purpose of prayer and the power of prayer tend to be two separate concepts, yet they converge into a single thought in a single verse, much as two highways may converge into one as they approach and cross a bridge. Given this, several of the verses that I will site here may have to do with the purpose of prayer. Closer examination however, leads one to grasp the thought related to power contained within that same verse. For example, in James 5:16 we are told "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We see the purpose of prayer in this verse is to give to God the needs of one another, yet the power within the verse is that through prayer, God will heal us. Similarly in the verses just before, James 5:13-15, we find the following,

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:13-15)

We see the importance of both the purpose and power of prayer very clearly in these verses.

What a joy to be able to experience firsthand the power that God displays as we approach him in prayer, knowing that he is faithful to answer our prayers if we but ask in faith. As was cited in the first article, Matthew 21:21, 22 states,

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:21-22)

James 1:5-8 is also often quoted and brings across this idea. These verses state:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)

We might also want to look at what Jesus has to say in Matthew 7:7, 8 as we consider the power in prayer. In these verses, Jesus states

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Surely we can see the power of prayer in these verses. The power of prayer is truly a blessing!

We can see that the power of prayer lies in what God has promised us as we continually display a strong attitude of faith in Him and all that He would have us to do. We can have confidence as we approach God in prayer if we center our hearts and minds on serving Him with a deep trust and faith in all that He can and will provide. In 1 John 3:20-22, we read

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (I John 3:20-22)

We cannot fool God, He knows our hearts, and so we must make sure that our hearts are clean, and the thoughts of our minds as we come to God in prayer. We must be centering our thoughts on His love for us, and on making our requests known to God, believing that He will provide answers to our prayers that are asked in faith. The power of prayer is mightier than any human thought or action. We must be willing to use that power to give honor and glory to God each and every day of our lives. He will bless us greatly if we are willing to do this.

This is the concluding article in the series entitled God is Still On His Throne: The Power and Purpose of Prayer. It is my sincere hope that all who will have read these articles will experience a deeper and more faith driven prayer life. May God bless you richly as you follow the wisdom of Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

[Back Issues | Home | Ask a Question Forum ]

Member of the Church of Christ Ad Exchange.

This Page was last modified on :
January 20, 2006

Questions or comments about this page?
Contact the Webmaster.
Be sure to sign our Guestbook.