Prayer Works!
People often think God and science are at odds but science always corroborates the supernatural. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray because they knew prayer worked. We may not always understand how the prayers get answers and the science behind it but it is important to know the method.
To Pray Powerful Prayers You Must Understand Relationship
Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and spoke of the importance of having a real relationship with God instead of just ritual and performance. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 God desires communion with His creation but Jesus made it clear that not everyone who professes God truly knows Him intimately.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” – Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus made a distinction between those who knew God as Lord and Father. Does God know you? That is the question to evaluate as we do spiritual inventory. Knowing about God and knowing God and following Him are two different things. To those whom God didn't know, Jesus called them “workers of lawlessness.”
Workers of lawlessness are believers who are operating in the power of God without a real position in God, those who use the power but have no spiritual authority over them. Working miracles in the name of God is not a validation of having a relationship with God. God heals whom he wills and can use anyone to fulfill His will. Those who are in relationship with God, however, do the will of God and are known by their master.
A relationship is strengthened when there is full transparency. God wants us to share with Him the parts of us that if everyone else knew, they would abandon us for it. When we share our all with God, He can take it and perfect it.
“We are not perfect but we can be perfect-hearted,” – Pastor Mike Signorelli
Powerful Prayers Recognize Who God Is
All throughout scripture we see prophets, psalmists, and kings acknowledge who God is in all of His sovereignty. In our time of prayer, one must always pray through relationship, not ritual.
See how King David both intimately spoke to God while him in prayer: “Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.’”1 Chronicles 29:10.11
The point of powerful prayer is to be empowered by the source of all power and those who know this are connected to the source, which is God.
“Charismatic Christians have formulas, orthodox Christians have Liturgy, but true Christ followers have relationship. A Liturgy with a relationship with God is a powerful and beautiful declaration. A formula with a relationship with God is a powerful guide. But a liturgy and formula without a relationship with God is powerless dead religion,” Pastor Mike declared in his sermon series “How To Pray With Power.”
It is important to know that prayer is an identity that one must be molded into, it is not a script that you repeat. Some religious sects spend their time reciting prayers that are simply repeated over and over but a relationship with God goes beyond that. Pray with your entire being and grow in faith.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6: 9-13 and in observing the different points Jesus highlighted in prayer we can see the trust the one praying must have in their God.
“Pray then like this:“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6: 9-13
Jesus started off the prayer with Abba, which means father in Aramaic, and solidified that we are God’s children. Regardless of your personal connection to your earthly father, when a person encounters the love of our Heavenly Father, His presence is tangible and you know you belong. The prayer goes on to speak of surrendering one's will for God’s will. It also instructs believers to forgive and ask God for help to keep us from evil.
In Praying Powerful Prayers you Must Rejoice
Lastly, rejoicing in God is an affirmation of God’s sovereignty. The believers rejoice because it proves that God is in control!
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pastor Mike challenged V1 church and all those who follow him, globally, to pray 6 times a day for 10 minutes or an hour daily to have a strong prayer life.
Worry, fear and anxiety are present when the believer has not recognized the one who owns it all and who determines the outcome of every situation. Those battling anxiety, fear, and worry must readjust their focus on the all-powerful, mighty God who can work on their behalf in any situation.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
About the Author:
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
At V1 Church we believe in teaching Bible-based relationship principles so that you can your family can be strengthened. Connect with us using one of the links below – we’d love to see you and help you walk through the process of reconciliation.