The Power of Prayer

  What is it about the act of prayer that causes changes to take place in the realm of the supernatural and in the life of the believer? What is the source of the inherent power found in the act of prayer? In other words, what makes prayer powerful? Much has been said about the believer's authority in Christ, the inherent power of the spoken Word, and the power of coming into agreement with the plan and will of God. All of these are important. Yet, let us consider a more basic and foundational principle that is at work in the area of prayer that many today seem to overlook.

I do not know that these truths originated in my mind or were placed there years ago through another, but I have long believed that there were certain truths about prayer that we must accept.

The first is that, for all our zeal and intensity, prayer does not always change our circumstances or eliminate our problems. Secondly, prayer never changes the essential nature, character or eternal purposes of God - He does not need to change. However, prayer always changes the one who sincerely prays and seeks God according to His instructions.

Therefore, instead of delving into the multiple mysteries of prayer, let us consider that perhaps the fundamental power of prayer, that affects all else, has its basis in the workings of the believer's transformed heart. In fact, all else done in prayer hinges on this one indispensable truth-a person's heart must be rightly oriented toward God if one's prayer life is to be effective. (James 4:3) Furthermore, it can be said that the power of prayer is seen and manifested primarily through the transformed heart, which is both the cause and product of prayer.

The scriptures are filled with numerous admonitions and exhortations concerning prayer and the need for a person's heart to be right when communicating with God. Thus, the spiritual transformation of the human heart is essential for all who call themselves believers.

Paul wrote, "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:8-13 NIV

The fundamental power of prayer is not about "spiritual energy" or any other New Age or metaphysical belief of our society that people want to try to blend with the Christian faith. Prayer works when people are brought into a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. As we see in the Romans 10 passage, the power of prayer is found when a person acts upon the word of God in faith by calling out to Him for the transformation of heart and life which He has promised to those who will call upon Him in simple faith.

One may not have had Biblical training of any depth or be able to articulate one's faith as clearly as others and yet he may have an incredibly powerful prayer life because of the spiritual work which has taken place in his heart. There is simply something powerful at work in a heart which is drawn to believe the Word of God and in the spirit of a person who loves God with all his heart and mind.

So often in our attempts to find more effective methods of prayer or in our search for a "new thing" or in a misguided desire to be accepting of "other people's beliefs," we overlook the true basis for powerful prayer-a heart transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The fact that this is essential is such an elementary concept for most. Nevertheless it remains, for many churches and individuals, a neglected and even an abandoned area of concern. In turn, this results in an ineffective prayer life, or possibly worse, a spiritually toxic environment where every new idea or desire of a pagan world is accepted by the hearts and minds of people who, without a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, have no true spiritual compass.

Never have the words of Paul been more needed than in our world today. He wrote, "Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22 NIV