ISN’T IT FUNNY how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different - C.S. Lewis.
Nothing seemed to change for the children of Israel until Moses walked into Egypt to do the wonders of God.
God had heard their cries. He had seen their affliction (Exod. 3:7).
Their prayers had formed a memorial before Him—and he came to save them.
THE CHILDREN of Israel realized that prayer is not driven by requirement—but by relationship (1 Thes. 5:17).
If truly your prayer is driven by your relationship with God, it would be easier to trust him.
SIMEON and ANNA had waited for the Messiah all their lives.
They trusted God to keep them to see Jesus Christ.
Anna did not leave the temple worshipping with fasting and prayer, night and day (Luke 2:36).
The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit led him to the temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present Jesus, he was there (Luke 2:25-35).
They set the stage for the coming of Jesus.
Both of them were not praying for things. They prayed for the Messiah.
When we learn to intercede as the Holy Spirit leads, our prayers will change from seeking things to seeking Him.
Prayer sets the stage for anything to come.
WHEN HANNAH prayed for a son, she set the stage for things to come.
She sought God in prayer, not knowing what she would find. However, Hannah got a son and a priest (1 Sam. 1:20).
IN ANTIOCH, while some prophets and teachers worshipped and fasted, God said to them, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.” (Acts 13:2)
The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God - William McGill.
Prayer unlocks the power of God.
HEROD put Peter in prison, but constant prayers were offered for him by the church.
The night before his trial, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him to leave.
As he walked, the gates opened until he was out of prison (Acts 12:5-17).
The strength of a people is seen in their posture to prayer.
Your attitude to prayer reflects your commitment to God.
Prayer isn't just bended knees.
Luke 18:10 tells the story of two men—a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to pray.
The Pharisee stood and prayed: I am not like the other people.
He made himself the standard and flouted his self-righteousness before God.
The tax collector stood at a distance and asked God for mercy. He had bended knees and a humble heart (Luke 18:10-14).
He went home justified.
Success in life is a product of prayers.
IT TAKES continuity to have the right association and a proper selection to have the right people.
Jesus had many people around him, but he needed a few. So, he prayed all night to the Father.
At daybreak, he chose the twelve disciples (Luke 6:12-16).
Jesus sought the Father’s will.
Prayer must be everywhere—on the bed, in the car, while you walk, and many more.
It must have dominance.
WHENEVER you pray, you're asking God to intervene.
Whenever you seek the Will of God, you're asking God to dominate your life.
John the Baptist said he must decrease that Jesus might increase (John 3:30-35).
He understood it was time to leave the scene. His job was done.
No wonder Jesus called him the greatest (Matt. 11:11).
JESUS told Peter that Satan had planned to sift him, but he had prayed for him.
Prayer is the first way to fight your battle.
Bringing it Together
EVERYTHING that's worthwhile is uphill. The world is mute when you turn to God.
Every battle has a weapon. Ask God to show you.