IF YOU ARE ONLY PRAYING when things are bad in your life, you are missing out. Our prayer life should be rich and victorious. Back in 2009, we rolled our van on the way to church. We hit an icy patch over the bridge and rolled, landing right side up. And we walked away from it, all four of us. Now, imagine if none of us had our seatbelts on. We would have been thrown around like a rag doll, possibly even seriously injuring my small children or death.
THIS is what it’s like just one day without prayer- a rollover accident with no seatbelt. Prayer is our fellowship and communion with the Lord. It’s not just about a list of my wants and demands, it’s about going deeper in my relationship with Him. It’s talking, sharing my heart, exploring my Lord’s heart and mind. It’s bringing Him my burdens and taking up His yoke. It’s searching for His heart and His ways and laying all mine at His feet. IF your life lacks power, then check your prayer life and you will find there is little prayer. IF your life lacks victory over sin and the enemy, then your life lacks powerful prayer.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Want to know what is God’s will for your life? It’s simple really. If you pray “Thy will be done” then pay attention. It is God’s will that we are always rejoicing in all circumstances because the joy of the Lord is our strength, we pray without ceasing (this means always, in all ways and circumstances, in the Spirit, in tongues and not in tongues but in understanding, pray for all men everywhere), and to live a life of thanksgiving for what the Lord has done in redeeming and delivering His people.
Is your life lacking the victory of the cross? Then PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. Are you always an emotional roller coaster? Control your thought life by taking every thought captive and pray God’s Word. Does your life lack faith? Stop taking “me time” and turn it into “knee time” and watch how your faith will begin to change and grow. Make your life a life of prayer and you will be changed. Change is inevitable when you have an abundant prayer life. Much prayer produces much fruit. Much prayer produces much power. Little prayer, little fruit and little power.
Prayer brings the healing power of Jesus, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:13-16
Prayer brings the peace the of God into your situation, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Prayer produces confidence in God, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” I John 5:14-15
Prayer delivers us from the evil one and keeps us out of trouble, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13
Make your life a life of prayer and watch the fruit begin to pop up in your life.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page