The Power of
Prayer
Introduction:
A.
James
5:16b-18 – what makes for effective prayer?
I. Important Observations
A.
Effective
prayer is dependent upon our heart and attitude.
1.
God understands what we are asking and what
we need.
2.
He understands what we are trying to say
when we do not even know how to say it.
a)
If the heart & attitude is right –
then God is touched.
b)
See Luke 18:9-14.
B.
Effective
prayer is dependent on our awareness of the nature of a relationship with God.
1.
God
does not exist to be our servant; we exist to be God’s servant.
2.
We must
approach Him as a Father that we love & respect dearly.
a)
He
exalts the humble & turns a deaf ear to the proud.
b)
God is
not dependent upon us; we are dependent upon Him.
II. A wonderful example of the
power of prayer is seen in 1 Sam. 1-2.
A.
Hannah
– one of 2 wives of Elkanah.
1.
Elkanah
was a devout Israelite.
2.
Hannah
had no children.
a)
1:6-7
– tormented by Peninnah
3.
This
moved Hannah to prayer. 1:8-18
4.
1:19b-20
– God remembers her, she conceived a child.
5.
1:28
– 3 years later she dedicated her son to the Lord.
6.
Samuel
became one of the great prophets and leaders in Israel.
B.
It
happened because Hannah prayed to God.
III. Christians have this
enormous power today.
A.
Romans
8:31-32 - there is no power superior to God’s
1.
How can
we doubt that He will answer our prayer when He allowed Jesus to die for us?
A.
Eph.
3:20-21
1.
You
cannot have a need or make a request that exceeds God’s power to be of help.
2.
He can
do more that we can imagine according to the power within us.
Conclusion:
A.
Never
conclude when terrible things happen in your life that God is not at work.
1.
God’s
power is most evident in our lives when we are at our weakest.
B.
Js.
5:16b. Praise God for the wonderful power we have.