The Power of Prayer!

Good morning my sisters-

Praise the Lord of the World and all of Creation, again I say praise to the Holy Trinity.  If there is one thing I have learned in the last few years, it is to praise Him always.  It's so easy to praise Him when things are good and it's so easy to tell others to praise Him during difficult times if we are in the light.

This year has been full of praises, from my oldest getting a wonderful job to my youngest growing up and finding work that suits Him.  Personally, I have been stretched again with a layoff I didn't see coming and a few months to find my way.  I wish I could say I praised Jesus through every situation but that would be lying.  I can tell you I have been able to praise Him probably 85% of the time and my goal is 100%.  How will I get there you might be asking?  Through prayer and petition that's how and by renewing my mind to look Heaven bound and for my Kings will.  That's a steep order, right? Well, we are asked to do that daily, it's in the Word so why don't we take the time to praise, pray and look Heaven bound--because we've been lost in the world, that's why.

I look at it this way, when a hardship comes what is the first thing we as humans do?  We look at our circumstances (the world). Am I right?  I believe I am. Oh and then we ask why did this happen to me?  Both questions are perfectly human and we shouldn't be ashamed of asking them but we must realize that the minute they pop out of our minds or our mouths we have entered the world and lost a very precious moment with Jesus.  So I have taken it upon myself to start praying during these times. I'm a big "why" person.  As a  matter of fact, I like to know the why behind everything. I'm sure I was that two year old that asked her mom, why a million times and luckily my mom complied most of the time.  When she didn't, I can remember becoming absolutely furious. I needed to know the why.  I think from time to time we all want to know from God, why us, why this situation, why?!

We are not God and that's the first step in understanding why prayer is so powerful and needed on a daily basis.  Prayer is our link to our Father.  Through the Word He gives us vital information on how to bring forth His majesty on earth but through prayer He challenges us, changes us and molds us into His image.  It's through prayer we find peace, understanding and power.  You might be asking me what kind of power do we find in prayer?  We find Heavenly power, majestic power, over-ruling power and spiritual power.  Power is prayer and prayer is God's will and bridge to our relationship with Him in heavenly places (unseen world).  The world blinds you to believe that this is all we have but that is a lie.  We can bring forth power through the Holy Spirit with one word, JESUS!

Now does that mean that every prayer will be answered our way.  Unfortunately not. Our way is not the best way but it will be answered and God will do it in His time.  We will see it in the storms that move, in the mountains we overcome and in the lives of others as they find Him.  We will see it in our lives, in others lives and in world events.  We have the power to come together through Christ and make a difference in this world and in Heaven.  The power of prayer is mighty and it has moved mountains, parted seas and resurrected our King.  Prayer is the power of the times and we are called to use it.

The use of Scripture, the ability to ask for forgiveness and the desire to read the Holy Word is how you learn to pray.  Praying the Lord's prayer, praying the words of our forefathers and knowing that God the Father is the head and that He said, I AM, is how we release the warriors in Heaven and how we battle in a world we can't see. If you are dissatisfied with life, I'm sorry.  I understand that life gets tough and that often we are met with challenging circumstances. I myself have battled many and I'm sure that as I pray and work toward sending the message of Christ to the masses more will come. I used to be afraid of that. I used to be afraid of my world being rocked. I like things comfortable and consistent but for me that hasn't been the case in a long time.  God has stretched me and through those experiences, I have become courageous, passionate and likeminded with Christ my King. I can't say I always like what's happening to me but I like what I become after the hardship and I like the relationship with my God. 

Being one with Christ takes prayer. I often wish that the women in Jesus' life would have kept journals of their prayers.  Words written with specific prayers for the future of the world, for the people they were around and for Jesus as He hung on that cross.  You know Mary had to be praying for her son, she had to be praying to His Father and she had to be asking, take this cup from my son.  And yet, Mary followed Jesus, knew there would be a time He would be taken and instead of being the mother that tried to save her child, she let Him go knowing He was the Savior of the World. Through prayer she had strength to watch her son die and be resurrected. Through prayer Jesus was able to face being humiliated, betrayed and crucified. Through prayer I have found Jesus and with finding Him I have known love, peace, grace and forgiveness.  Through prayer, I get one step closer to meeting my goal of 100%.  It's going to take one day at a time, calling on Him through prayer and petition and receiving the power that resides in His name.

For all of you out there going through mighty challenges remember that we didn't get this way overnight and we won't change, although sometimes God takes a life and changes it in that moment. I guess I'm just a work in progress so I'm going to continue to watch for Him in every part of my life, worship Him with praise and study His word so that I can pray for you and the thousands that need to know Him. I'm one little person on this earth with a mighty gift, I can pray!  Be well my sisters and know I am praying for you always.

James 5: 15-17 NIV

15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.…

Lord as Your warriors spread Your Word and Your story, give them peace, protection and our prayers. We cry out to You asking You to help those around the world that are spreading the good news and we ask that people would start believing that You are the way, the truth, the light. Pick up the pieces of those that are being challenged, feed them and cover them with Your presence and peace. Forgive us for putting other things before You, for believing in a world that is evil and for our lack of passion. Lift us up as we pray and give us wisdom to see what's not there and to remind us daily that we are Yours for eternity.  Thank You for loving us and for giving us tools to slay the dragons that bind us on earth.  In Jesus Holy Name we pray!  AMEN