Praying Powerfully

It’s been a while since our conversation on prayer first started. I intended to write more often than this, but nevertheless, here is my follow up to the last note: Prayer Changes Things...

How would you define your prayer life? Do you enjoy prayer? Do you believe your conversation with the Lord can lead to breakthrough?

In Ephesians 3, Paul makes it clear that if we have sound doctrine, we will be motivated to pray. It is because of our understanding of who Christ is, and who we are because of Him, that we will be compelled to spend time in prayer. What we believe about God can actually be measured by the amount of boldness and commitment by which we pray. Confident prayers are effective prayers.

“Let him ask in faith with no doubting for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea being tossed by the wind. For that man must not suppose he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways.” (James 1:6-8) The word used for “double-minded” is the same word used to describe someone who is drunk. The idea is this: the same way intoxication causes a person to stumble physically, doubt will cause a person to stumble spiritually. When it comes to bringing our needs before the Lord it is imperative that we come before Him boldly, fixated on what He is able to do rather than what we are able to explain. It is as if there a mark straight ahead and as we pray in faith we are moving toward the bullseye. However, as soon as we begin to doubt - “Can you even hear me... Does it matter what I say... It probably won’t make a difference but...” - it is as if we are disoriented, stepping out of the straight line. Each time we limit the supernatural work of the Lord to the size of our explanations, we are praying as a double-minded person, stumbling, unsure and without faith that God will answer.

Ephesians 3:12, “in whom [Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”

At the point of salvation we are in Christ. Believing this truth is crucial to praying powerfully. Satan enjoys attacking us by discouraging our faith in the authority and the ability of God. When we truly grasp ahold of the fact that we are in Christ - that we are adopted into His family - we no longer have to wonder if our prayers will make a difference. This is why Paul mentions that to have a good understanding of Christ is fundamental to a successful prayer life.

​Greek for boldness is parhessi which means, “Say what’s on your mind.” We don’t have to doll up our dull words when coming before the Lord; He already knows what is on our heart before we even ask (see Matthew 6:7-8). When we come boldly before God we don't have to worry about if He accepts us, because we are standing on the promise that He loves us and calls us His own. Praying boldly requires understanding that we have been granted access to the Father.

Ephesians 3:12, “in whom [Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”

Years ago I was asked, “Will you pray for me? I believe God can heal me but I don’t think He’ll do it if I’m the one asking.” I will never forget how broken my heart felt during this exchange as I shared that they don’t have to accept being distant from God. I think often times we become so fixated on our imperfections that we overlook that the price that has been paid for our redemption. What a beautiful, freeing testimony we have been given - because of Christ, we are no longer strangers to Him but we are His children; heirs.

There is a way to approach someone with more power than us. Imagine we were invited to meet the queen. Several days before our meeting, someone would call to confirm that we were going to be there. Once we confirm, we would receive a series of instructions: arrive at this time, go to that entrance, wear this attire.... When we finally arrive at the palace, wearing what we were told to wear, at the entrance they told us to go to, someone would lead us in, send us through a security check-point and guide us to a room... There is a protocol to approaching someone with more power than us. However, access means this - we are no longer wandering the halls like strangers, we are walking the halls as heirs. We have been introduced and invited to stay.

Powerful prayers cannot happen when we have reservations. Christ has made a way for us to come before the Father. He knows each of us personally and could pick us out of a crowd anywhere. More than that, He loves when we spend time with Him in prayer. I imagine Him saying, “They came even when they had a hard day!” or, “They came to spend time with Me even though they were busy or tired!” We have access to Him which gives us confidence.

Ephesians 3:12, “in whom [Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”

Confidence is knowing that He will never run out of resources. Could you imagine if we had to call God, wait on hold and just as it’s our turn, we hear, “I am so sorry, but if you could call back tomorrow between 10am and 5pm someone will be glad to help you.” What? No! God doesn’t send us away nor does He run out of the power to help. We have confidence that He takes care of us and that He will always hear us. We have confidence in His power.

We come to Him with boldness and we leave His presence with confidence... We come to Him with boldness that He hears us and we leave confident that He’ll answer.

How would you define your prayer life? Do you enjoy prayer?
Do you believe your conversation with the Lord can lead to breakthrough?

Sophie Graves
Director of Student Ministries