Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” but an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.” The point I will make today is that God requires us to invoke His involvement in our lives through the vehicle of prayer.
James said, “You have not, because you ask not.” (James 4:2). Jesus said, “The Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:8). After making this statement, Jesus went on to teach the disciples how to pray. He was basically saying, “The Father knows what you need before you ask, but He still requires you to ask.” Why? Because He wants His performance in your life to be an act of your will and not just His.
This topic reminds me of a poem I read over 20 years. I memorized it then and I have gone back to it several times in the past two decades. It speaks to the importance of prayer. I don’t know who wrote it, but it’s aptly entitled, “The Difference.” Here it is:
I got up one morning,
And I rushed right into the day,
I had so much to accomplish,
That I did not have time to pray.
As the day went on,
Heavier came each task,
I said, “Lord, why don’t you help me?”
He said, “Child, you didn’t ask.”
Hour upon hour,
The day toiled on gray and bleak,
I said, “Lord Jesus, where are you?”
He said, “Son, you didn’t seek.”
Finally, I tried to come into God’s presence,
I used all my keys at the lock,
I said, “Lord, why don’t you let me in?’
He said, “Child, you didn’t knock.”
So I got up this morning,
And I paused before entering the day,
Because I had so much to accomplish,
That I HAD to take time to PRAY!
The Difference!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Some people think that since God is sovereign, they don’t need to pray. They think, “God knows everything, He already made plans, and He is going to do whatever He wants to do. There is no need for me to pray.” People who think this way don’t understand the system God created. Remember, God placed man (humans) in charge of this planet. God is so committed to this system that He seeks the cooperation of humans. For God to fully operate in your life, He is looking for you to cooperate with Him. Because He wants His involvement in your life to be an act of YOUR will and not just His. You are not a puppet and He is not a puppet master. He is your God and He wants you to WANT Him! This is what prayer is about.
2. Prayer is how we invoke God’s involvement in our lives.
a) Prayer is agreeing with God’s plans and purposes by faith, knowing the plans are already complete. And also knowing that God’s involvement will not be initiated until we pray or until someone prays for us. This statement magnifies the importance of praying for yourself and praying for others. Pray for your family daily. Don’t leave your children uncovered.
b) Prayer is how the earth agrees with heaven. Heaven wants to invade the earth. But heaven is not going to force its will on us. Prayer welcomes the invasion! If you want heaven to invade your marriage, your children, your workplace, your business… PRAY!
c) Prayer is earthly license for heavenly interference. Prayer is how the earth comes in agreement and alignment with heaven. Prayer agrees that God’s will should be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
d) Prayer is man exercising his legal authority in the earth to invoke heaven’s influence on the planet.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I am expecting Your involvement on another level, because I am determined to pray this year on another level! I activate Your involvement in my life daily through prayer. I want heaven to invade my family, my marriage, my children, my workplace, my business, my finances, and my body. So I pray the prayer of faith and I initiate the invasion. Your Kingdom has come. Your will shall be done, on earth as it is in heaven, through me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
https://youtu.be/eb1pc9GeewU
