The Power of Words
Spoken in Prayer
When I pray I often feel like the child who offered five
barley loaves and two fish when Jesus was talking
about feeding 5,000 people. The offering seemed so
small but Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and the
lunch was multiplied to feed the entire crowd. In the
same way, I lift my prayers to God. Prayers that are
finite in understanding and small in the scheme of
things. Prayers that in themselves have no power to
change anything. But God loves to receive them and
graciously does far more than I could ask or imagine.
Our thoughts are meager compared to God’s infinite
wisdom. Our power is so limited compared to the
power that holds the universe together. Yet, He loves
it when we come and lift our requests before His
throne. And He is eager and able to do so much with
them in His infinite knowledge and understanding.
I’d much rather present my requests to God than do
things in my own wisdom and strength!
The Bible tells us we can have confidence in approaching God knowing that if we ask according to
His will, He hears us and answers prayer (1 John 5:1415). The more we know our Lord the more we know
His will. The Word of God gives us great understanding of that will and clearly shows us that His greatest
desire is that all who He has created in His image
come to know Him. He is actually patiently waiting,
desiring that none should perish but all should come
to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The early believers understood that and actively shared the Good News of
Jesus’ death and resurrection. One time when the
apostles Peter and John were told not to speak of
Jesus, the believers prayed that they would be able
to speak God’s word with great boldness. After they
prayed, the place they were meeting was shaken and
they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the
word of God boldly (Acts 4:29-31).
God loves to heal physically but He is even more
concerned with spiritual healing. Our eternal state is
much more important than this present state. As we
look at a lost and needy world, what does that mean
for us? The Bible is clear that there is great power
in words spoken in prayer when they are in line with
God’s heart.
We are urged to make petitions, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving on behalf of all people – even kings
and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This pleases God our Savior who wants all people to be saved
and come to a knowledge of the truth that there is
one God and one mediator, between God and Man,
Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all
people (1 Timothy 2:1-6). We are called Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal
through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador has
no power except that of the King he represents. As
we pray for those around us we have opportunity to
align our hearts with our Lord’s and be part of God’s
work to illuminate minds and hearts with the light of
His Gospel (2 Corthians 4:3-6).
During this summer season, we all have opportunity
to watch God’s power as we pray. I encourage you
to take time to use this prayer walking tool based
on the Lord’s prayer. You are Christ’s ambassador in
your neighborhood. God has a purpose for where He
has placed you. He not only determines the time we
live in but the places where we live, work and play
(Acts 17:26-28). The most loving thing you can do
for your neighbors is to pray for them and introduce
them to Christ!
Prayer Walking Guide
By Susan Sorensen
Pastoral Staff, Women’s Ministry
Susan has been married to Scott for 28 years and they have two sons. As a result of her cancer
journey, Susan co-authored Praying Through Cancer, a devotional book that has brought many
women to the throne of Grace where they have received courage to face their greatest fears.
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