The Power of Prayer…

James 5:16 (NIV)

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Our Verse of the Day offers an interesting perspective on prayer. Let’s read the surrounding context:

James 5:13-20 – Prayer Offered In Faith

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crops. (Cf. 1 Kings 17; 18) My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

With the broader context in view, I think we can see the great potential of prayer to impact the circumstances we experience in our lives. We live in a fallen world of sin in all of its myriad manifestations. We will experience trouble and tribulation. (Cf. John 16:33) We will experience sickness and illness in our bodies. We will be tempted with sin and challenged with the decision to flee its allure. And in these latter days there will be great tribulation ahead; “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Cf. Matthew 24:21) Indeed, spiritual forces of darkness and evil envelop the earth (Cf. Ephesians 6:12); and the only light available to prevail against the darkness is the light of Christ Jesus our Lord….

John 1:1-5 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:19-20 (NIV)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

John 8:12 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:44-46 (NIV)

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

If you think about the light of the sun, it is produced by an internal source of power. If you think about a light bulb, it can only emanate light when electric power is supplied to it. Even a simple candle must have a source of fuel and a flame to ignite it in order to provide continual light. And so, I want to focus our attention on the power of prayer to awaken our faith. We are urged … even commanded … to pray in order to navigate our human existence within the framework of faith. Why? Because our faith expresses genuine belief in the Lord Jesus; and it follows that our faith embraces the light He has brought into the world.

My friends, I submit that prayer is the source of energy to power that light! It is His light within us that overcomes the darkness, but it must shine in order to accomplish its work. Prayer is the power that activates faith and prompts us to engage the culture (world) around us. As Jesus taught: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Cf. Matthew 5:14-16)

So, I want to encourage us to let the Light of Life ignite our faith. Let it penetrate the present darkness of our world. If we want to address the difficulties in the lives of people … if we want to see illnesses healed … if we want to see deliverance from bondage to sin … if we want to help prodigals and unbelievers be reconciled with God … if we want to engage in spiritual warfare and cast down demonic influences; then our faith to move these mountains must be spiritually empowered to accomplish it. And that power is prayer! Yes, it is my conviction that we will not be productive or effective without abiding in Christ … living in an intimate relationship with Him that can only be established and nurtured through prayer. Indeed, prayer is essential for the supernatural ministries of the Church to bring forth light in the midst of darkness. Prayer is imperative for believers to function as the Body of Christ in this world. So let us be people of prayer! Let us pray without ceasing! For the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. ~ Acts 28:7-9

Do Not Be Anxious…

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our Verse of the Day is a timely refresher as we focus on a life of prayer. This is especially important as we experience higher levels of uncertainty and anxiety in the world at the moment. God calls us to trust Him! He comforts us saying, “Do not be anxious about what is happening; rather, pray to Him and seek Him for the peace of mind that we need.” Indeed, I think about what Jesus shared with His disciples … encouraging them to watch and pray when the tribulations of life on earth accelerate:

Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the Kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Yes, Jesus told us to ALWAYS be on the watch … and to pray with a focus on two petitions:

1. That we may be able to escape all that is about to happen

2. That we may be able to stand before the Son of Man

Likewise, Jesus taught us: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Cf. Matthew 26:41) Yes, we need to be on watch and to guard our hearts in preparation for His coming. Through prayer, we are equipped t walk in confidence as we trust Christ Jesus. As Paul admonished, let us all to continue in prayer and let the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer is vital! Prayer is commanded! Indeed, we need to be people of prayer because it will keep us grounded in the truth … protected from deception … and active participants in the spiritual battle between light and darkness that is engulfing our nation and the world.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ~ Cf. Colossians 4:2-6

The God of All Comfort…

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

I love the message conveyed in our Verse of the Day. We are reminded that God is the originator of compassion, and He is the source of all comfort. As we experience and process the human emotions that come with hardship and suffering, we find God is present with us to comfort us in the midst of them. God does not remove the emotions from our experience; rather, He works through them to bring us closer to Himself so that our faith, endurance, and hope rest in Father God alone….

I want to share a larger portion of the text in order to see the broader context of suffering and comfort that Paul is expressing here:

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (New Living Translation)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Sometimes we ask, “Where is God?” when our situations and circumstances seem unbearable and we are despaired of life. When we are seized by these inner emotions, it is important for us to remember that God permits these things to happen in our lives so that we might not rely on ourselves but solely upon Him. He is the one who raises us to life both physically and spiritually! Sometimes it takes a trial of affliction to be emptied of ourselves in order to encounter the presence of God. And when we receive the comfort and peace that only He can provide, we are empowered with a knowledge that no one can take away. Indeed, it is the experience of His comfort that we are enjoined to share with others … just as we are commissioned to share the love and forgiveness of God as well.

It is my prayer we will incorporate the message of this verse into our walk with God. He IS the God of all comfort! He IS the God of love and peace. (Cf. Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11) And we know the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding … that it guards our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus. (Cf. Philippians 4:7) This is what we are empowered by the Spirit to do … to love and comfort others so that they might experience and know the peace of God as well. This is our commission as believers … comforting those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. And in this context, comforting is ongoing – meaning we are to continually comfort others as we are continually comforted by God.

My friends, love others as you have been loved. Forgive others as you have been forgiven. Comfort others as you have been comforted.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

In humility, value others above yourselves – not looking to your own interests but to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:3-5

Thanking God For You…

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Our Verse of the Day encourages us to be thankful for our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus. Paul indicated to the Thessalonian Church that his offering of gratitude to God for fellow believers was the right thing to do in light of their faith; their perseverance; their ever-increasing growth and maturity; and their abounding love for others. Paul said he boasted to other bodies of believers about their perseverance and faith because of all the persecutions and trials they had endured. What kind of testimony do you think Paul would give to Second Chance Church? Other churches in our community? What kind of prayer would Paul offer for the whole Church today? Well, I’m glad you asked because I think Paul would offer the same prayer for us that he did for the Thessalonians:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NIV)

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s examine his prayer a little more:

With this in mind ….

What is Paul referring to with this phrase? In 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Paul discusses the challenges and sufferings the Thessalonian church was experiencing from non-believers and the culture around them. Sound familiar? Yet, he offered them hope that justice would be accomplished when Jesus returns, and he explains how that will occur. Perhaps, we should take note….

We constantly pray for you….

What a great comfort to know that another person is praying for you. Even better, like Paul, tell other people you are praying for them … and often. And let them know what you are praying for them … and asking God to do in them and for them….

That our God may make you worthy of His calling….

This is an interesting petition. Notice the implication of what Paul is saying here. You and I do not make ourselves worthy of the call God places upon us; rather HE makes us worthy. The questions here become: “How does God make us worthy of His calling?” and “Why is it important for us to pray for worthiness?” My thoughts are that worthiness is something we cannot accomplish within ourselves; however, we can respond to the call of God upon our lives by living a life worthy of the calling we have received. You see this phrase and similar petitions in other epistles of Paul.

That by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

Again, note that it is the power of God that brings fruition to our desires for goodness; to our desires for holiness; to our service and ministry for others prompted by our faith. So, this verse corroborates that our salvation is by grace through faith … and not of works. Our desire for goodness and serving others is fulfilled by the power of God working in us. His Spirit will equip us for being effective and productive … living lives worthy of our calling (Cf. 2 Peter 1:5-8)

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that the purpose of his prayer is for the name of the Lord Jesus to be glorified in His disciples and followers … AND … each of us to be glorified in Him! Yes, and all this is according to the grace of our God.

I thought this opportunity to examine a powerful prayer was too important for us to miss. And I hope that you will consider how your prayers for fellow believers will not only encourage them – but will strengthen your own faith as you petition the Lord and observe His grace and power unfold in the lives of His people according to your prayers. I have provided some links to some additional prayers of Paul for other churches. Note the similarities and content of his prayers. I hope these examples will inspire you and me to pray more intentionally and powerfully.

Ephesians 1:15-19

Colossians 1:3-12

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

1 Thessalonians 2:11-13

Philippians 1:3-11

A Final Thought:

I noticed, in our Verse of the Day, a connection between a faith that is growing with a love that is increasing. As we learn to abound in sincere love for one another, our faith matures along with it. Indeed, I believe that an ever-increasing faith is produced by an ever-increasing love for God and love for people. Jesus taught: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Cf. John 13:34-35) And John affirmed, “He (Jesus) has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

So, in love, let us prayer for one another. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters according to the patterns that Paul has taught us. We know these prayers will be answered because the Lord Jesus will be glorified through them. This is part of the fruit of righteousness we bear in the Spirit as we live worthy of the callings we have received.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:1-6

Thanking God For You…

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (NIV)

I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—

As we enter the second day of this week of Thanksgiving, our Verse of the Day is a call for us to offer our thanksgiving to God for other believers. The Apostle Paul often began His epistles with an expression of gratitude toward the believers in the churches who he had mentored during his missionary journeys. Here are a few examples:

Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV)

¹⁵For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:3-4 (NIV)

³We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)

²We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (NIV)

³We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. ⁴Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Philemon 1:4-6 (NIV)

⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

Notice how these passages have some common elements. First, Paul assures the churches that he is praying for them all the time. He expresses this discipline in prayer as “always”, “continually”, and “not stopped.” Secondly, we observe that in his prayers, Paul is giving thanks to God for these believers … and specifically for their faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, Paul typically commends HOW their faith and service to God is evident by their love for one another. Indeed, it is their love generated by their faith that Paul is so grateful to see coming to fruition! Their response to the grace of God is ample cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving, and Paul is inspired to let them know.

So, I see an application for us to consider … and I believe we should ask ourselves some questions:

“Do I give thanks to God for other believers who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ?”
“Do I appreciate their gifts, talents, and service to Jesus Christ as members of His Body?”
“Am I grateful for their fellowship and love as expressions of their faith in Him?”

As I pondered these questions, I found myself feeling appreciation and gratitude for other believers and their labors of love toward people through the ministries of the Church. And I have, from time to time, expressed my thanks to them for their devoted service. But as I think of Paul’s example, continual giving of thanks to God for my brothers and sisters in Christ, I find myself falling short of this ideal. Yes, I must confess that thanksgiving for others during my prayers has not been often enough; and I think that, perhaps, I have been missing an essential focal point of prayer. I am convicted and convinced that I should never cease remembering the Body of Christ throughout the world, nor should I ever cease to mention those who attend our local assembly in my prayers. Paul has made it clear that it is important to be faithful in sincerely giving thanks to God for their lives, their gifts, their service, and their love….

So, in this season of Thanksgiving, I pray that we all will remember this fundamental truth: that in Christ we form one body … His Body. Though we are many members, each individual member belongs to all the others. (Cf. Romans 12:4-8) And as Paul instructed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Thus, in light of this context, I believe it follows that we should continually give thanks to God for each other during our daily time of prayer. Yes, let us make this our practice … to remember each other and to express gratitude to God for each other in our prayers as often as possible.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.