Unlocking the Power of Prayer: What Happens When We Pray First
Pastor Kyle Veach
Today, we're diving into a topic that's at the heart of our spiritual journey – prayer. Prayer is a powerful and transformative practice that allows us to connect with our Heavenly Father in an intimate way. In this blog, we'll explore the depths of prayer and how talking to God moves not only His heart, but our own. So, let's not waste any more time and discover the wonders of prayer together! Click the link above for the full message if you want to explore further.
Understanding Prayer: Talking With God
Prayer is a cornerstone of our faith, mentioned over 650 times in the Bible. From the very beginning in Genesis to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, there are over 450 recorded answers to prayer. It's clear that prayer holds a special place in our relationship with God. The Bible tells us about various postures of prayer, from sitting and standing to kneeling and even laying our faces on the ground, or lifting our hands in surrender. But simply, prayer is talking to God.
But what's the point of prayer? Why do we pray when God is in control?
Picture it like this: when a hungry child tells their parent, "Dad, I'm hungry," it doesn't mean the parent didn't know. It's an intimate act that gains attention and moves the parent to action - sometimes the action is immediate, sometimes it is a reminder of what is to come, but either way, the parent cares deeply to satisfy the needs of his/her child. Similarly, our prayers are an expression of faith and trust that God will act on our behalf in the timing that He has for us.
Prayer is a spiritual battle; when we speak things into existence, the devil brings resistance. It's a concept that can be challenging to fully grasp, as we acknowledge that God is in control, knows everything, yet we still ask Him to intervene in our lives. In essence, prayer teaches us to praise, thank, and trust God, making us reflect on whether we genuinely practice these aspects in our lives.
What to Expect When We Pray
1. Closeness
When we pray, a beautiful transformation takes place – we grow closer to God. Just like any relationship, talking to God deepens our intimacy with Him. Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that by asking, we can learn remarkable secrets about things to come. Prayer is not merely reciting words; it's an intimate and personal dialogue that helps us trust God more.
Our relationship with God can sometimes resemble knowing a famous person without ever meeting them. We know of God, but we don't talk to Him. Christians pray to foster this relationship. It's a two-way street – reading the Bible allows us to hear from God, and prayer enables us to speak to Him in return. This ongoing conversation with God is how we spend quality time with our Heavenly Father.
The result of this closeness? Peace. When we draw near to God, He guards our hearts and minds with His peace, surpassing all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
It's easy to become overwhelmed by negative thoughts, but when we take our worries and doubts to God, we gain insight to overcome them.
2. Guidance
Have you ever wondered about the purpose of your life? Sometimes, we don't even know what to pray for. But Romans 8:26 assures us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us when we can't find the words. When we humbly seek God, the Holy Spirit expresses in prayer what we can't articulate.
King David serves as a prime example of someone who repeatedly rehearsed God's promises as he prayed. His prayers were founded on God's word and the faithfulness of His character. In Psalm 86:15 and 2 Samuel 7:21-29, we see how David's intimacy with God led to guidance and direction in his life.
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. - Psalm 86:15
3. Healing
Prayer isn't just about our personal needs; it's also about healing, both for ourselves and others. James 5:16 reminds us to “confess our sins to each other” and “pray for one another”, for the “earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results”. When we bring our problems to God in prayer, we acknowledge that only He can truly fix them.
Consider the story of Jairus' daughter in Matthew 9:18-26.
As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”
So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.
Jairus’s humility and faith in Jesus's ability to heal his little girl moved the heart of God. It's a powerful reminder that our prayers, when offered with humility and faith, can bring about miraculous change. What BIG prayers do you have that you are too scared to ask for? Imagine what he can do. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever - what can’t he do?
Why Doesn't God Always Answer the Way We Expect?
Sometimes, we wonder why God doesn't answer our prayers as we think He should. It boils down to several factors:
Your Relationships Matter (Mark 11:24-25, 1 Peter 3:7): The state of your relationships, both with others and with God, can affect the way your prayers are answered.
Your Motives Matter (James 4:3, Proverbs 16:2): Are your prayers selfless or self-centered? Motive matters in the eyes of God.
The Way You Live Matters (James 5:16, Proverbs 15:29): Living a life in accordance with God's principles can impact the effectiveness of your prayers.
Your Faith Matters (James 1:6-7, Matthew 9:29-30): Without faith, it's challenging to see the results you desire in prayer.
God's Will Matters (1 John 5:14-15, Luke 22:42-43): Ultimately, God's will prevails, and sometimes His plans don't align with ours.
David is a well known character in the Bible, known for his faith and conquests. He slayed Goliath with a stone, he wrote amazing psalms and songs to God, he served as one of the greatest kings of Israel; however, there is a moment in scripture when things didn’t go well for David. David had a baby son, and he was dying. In 2 Samuel 12:16-19,
David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused.On the seventh day the baby died.
David prayed and fasted and his son still died. He had to have thought, my prayers move the heart of God, so why did my baby just die? But instead, in verse 20, he responded in a way that only those who are intimately aware of God’s goodness respond:
Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.
David trusted God’s will. He cleaned up, got dressed, and went and worshiped God.
In moments of unanswered prayers, we must remember that we still have the opportunity to praise God. Our faith is tested in these times, and it's a chance for us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.
A Peace Like None Other
In conclusion, prayer is a powerful practice that draws us closer to God, provides guidance, and can lead to healing. It's not just about asking for things; it's about building and nurturing our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we pray, we unlock a peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing that God hears us and cares for us.
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Further Reading
Book: Pray First: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer by Chris Hodges
Book: Worried about Everything Because I Pray about Nothing: How to Live with Peace and Purpose Instead of Stress and Burnout by Chad Veach
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message in the First sermon series titled, "First Things First"
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