TOPIC: THE POWER OF PRAYER
MEMORISE: 1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
READ: 1 John 5:14-15
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
MESSAGE:
There is power behind asking and receiving. If you do not believe this, read the story of Jesus and the boy who was possessed by a demon in Matthew 17:14-21. Only a child of God can decree a thing and shall be established as promised in Job 22:28. This is why it is important to be born again. The boldness to ask in faith and the power to receive belong to God, and He freely gives them to His children. Romans 8:26 says:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groan in which cannot be uttered."
Going by the Scripture above, there is a need to be filled with the Holy Spirit if we would get this divine power. In other words, the power of prayer is given by the Holy Spirit. Jesus' disciples found it difficult to pray effectively when the Holy Spirit had not come upon them, as seen in Matthew 17:14-20. However, when the Spirit came upon them, not only were they able to pray effectively, they also started decreeing mighty things (Acts 4:31). You can also get this power to ask and receive, by resting on God's promises as contained in His word. For example, in John 16:23, Jesus said
"...Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
It is one thing to have the power to ask and it is another to have the power to receive. Sometimes, when God gives out His blessings to people, they may not have power of sonship to receive them. Peter almost missed his blessing but for the mercy of God. When he encountered Jesus at the lake of Gennesaret, he pleaded with Jesus to get away from him because he was guilt-ridden (Luke 5:8), whereas Jesus was actually offering him an apostolic office.
To get power to receive God's benevolence, therefore, you must have faith In Jesus. You must also live a life free of sin (Psalm 66:18). In addition to that, your prayer must not be marred with lust or ulterior motives (James 4:3). Beginning from now, you will be empowered to ask and receive in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me the power to pray effectively so that whatever I decree here on earth shall established in Heaven.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 10-11.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 23: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING.
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
o Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3. Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
5. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
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