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Series Introduction
The Power of Prayer
Introduction
Welcome to the new series The Power of Prayer. In the coming weeks, we're going to look at the wonderful power God has offered us to change circumstances and lives through His power. We'll consider the reality of prayer, its opportunities and challenges.
Bible Reading
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (Jam 4:2)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Mat 7:7-11)
Prayer Makes a Difference
Will the Sovereign God of the Universe change His what He does in response to prayer? Some folks don't think so. For them, prayer is like meditation - it may change your attitude, or make you feel better, but it doesn't change anything in the outside world.
"Ye have not because ye ask not," James said. Think about that for a minute. There are some things you need that you don't have. God wants to meet your needs, so why do still lack? It may be because you haven't asked. There are things that God is wiling to do, but that He won't do unless and until you ask. So the Sovereign God has decreed that you can influence what He does through prayer.
Ask, and It Shall Be Given
On the other hand, if you do ask, you can receive. God is a Good Father Who delights to meet the needs of His believing children when they ask for His help. But Matthew makes the same point James did, that God gives "good things to them that ask Him."
What About You?
- Are you doing without because you fail to pray?
- When you do pray, do you get what you ask for? Do you expect to?