The power of prayer is the power of God released through our simple talks with Jesus. There are several great people of prayer that were known to simply utter “Oh God”, and nothing more in their prayer times. “Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. It is not method, but rather a relationship with the Almighty God. Andrew Murray, a well-known man of prayer said, “God’s voice in response to mine is it’s most essential part.” When you talk to God, who is the Source of power, things begin to happen. It is a proven fact that prayer changes people, things, and situations. It is an awesome thought that our Father hears our prayers and answers them according to His will, and in His time. Ps 17:6; 34:17. Some desire to hurry Him in getting answers to their prayers, but there is great reward in waiting on the Lord. Ps 37:34.
When we have been born again and have fellowship with Jesus, our prayers are transformed to line up with the will of God, instead of our own desires. If we abide in Him, we talk to Him, and His words abide in us. As we study of the Word of God we see more clearly how to pray. John 15:7. As we get to know Jesus better, our prayers become powerful and rewarding.
Prayer is the place where the power of God is drawn and released. Many a preacher has spent time in prayer before releasing a message to a gathering of believers. Without the watering prayer in preparation for the planting of the Word of God into hearts, there is no harvest. Prayer is the watering it takes for the hard ground in unbeliever’s hearts to soften. I remember an old neighbor who was tough as leather. We knew him for years to be a cantankerous old man. But daily as I jogged by his place I prayed for his soul. There came that day and time when I asked Yancy if he was ready to give his heart to the Lord. He said, “Yes”. His heart had been watered with prayer and he got saved.
Prayer is the place where battles are won. In December of 1944 General Patton called for prayer for the weather so they could win the battle with the Germans. He called the Head Chaplin to say a prayer for the weather. The Chaplin constructed a prayer, Patton read it and instructed him to have 250,000 copies made and distribute them to the men. Patton said, “Chaplin, I am a strong believer in prayer. There are three ways men get what they want; by planning, by working and by praying.” The day after the prayer was issued the weather cleared and remained clear for six days. They won the Battle of the Bulge. Ps 107:28-30.
Prayer changes the inside of the person who is praying.”Dr. Andrew Newberg of Thomas Jefferson Hospital has been studying the effect of prayer on the human brain for more than 20 years, injecting radioactive dye into subjects and watching what changes inside their heads when they pray. You can see it’s all red here when the person is just at rest,” said Newberg, “but you see it turns into these yellow colors when praying.” These changes, says Newberg, are signs of the power of prayer to heal. He said, “there’s evidence to show that by doing these practices, you can cause a lot of different changes all the way throughout the body, which could have a healing effect.”
Kathryn Kulman was a woman devoted to prayer. Before and after her famous healing services she was known to spend eight hours in prayer. The results were the presence of God engulfed her meetings and millions of people were saved and healed through her many years of ministry. She said, “The greatest power that God has given to any individual is the power of prayers.”
John Hyde, an American missionary to India was also known as Praying Hyde, and the Apostle of Prayer. He often spent whole nights in prayer as he sought the presence of God. The interesting part of Hyde’s prayer life is that he rarely asked God for anything but souls, and was often found to be worshipping Jesus in prayer. He was such a man of prayer that when he uttered the words, “Oh Father” God’s presence was felt as lives were touched to come to Jesus Christ. It was not uncommon for him to spend days in prayer. Millions were won to Christ through his prayers and preaching. He said, “If we are willing to put ourselves into God’s hands, then God is willing to use us. But there are two conditions: Obedience and purity.” He also said the famous saying, “O God, give me souls or I die!” Mr 11:24.
George Mueller was known to be a man of prayer and he became known as The Orphan’s Friend in England. He was the Director of Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England where he was called to care for 10,024 orphans. Mueller and his wife first took in 30 girls in their home, and the numbers grew from there. Mueller prayed in every provision for the children, not only for food, but also for their education and prosperity.
One such time of need the children were dressed and ready for school. The housemother of the orphanage came in and told George there was no food for them to eat. “George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “Last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.” Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.” Mt 21:22.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the example of a prayer that moves the hand of God. It is known as the Lord’s Prayer found in Luke 11:2-4. Jesus told us to go into a private place and pray to our Father in secret. He said, “God who sees in secret will reward us in the open.” There is no more important place to be other than before your Maker talking to Him. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” Your prayer time will do more than anything else in your situation or the one you are concerned about. When you talk to God things happen! Mt 7:7.