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[skyangel144]

I've been thinking this week on what is effectual prayer. I read something today that really convicted me.

I read a quote today from Street Evangelist Ray Comfort, that [talking about Christians in general today] " ... it is easier to talk to God about people than it is to talk to people about God... (from the book "Way of the Master"). It went on to say that many Christians, myself included, are more comfortable praying for people than actually reaching out to people and ministering to them - there has to be a balance in our faith/prayer life and "works" as an outworking of the Lord's life in us to glory Him and touch others with His life-giving power - we are to be his hands and feet - the Living Word of God. Why do we pray - is it to make ourselves feel better or is it to align our wills with God's will and commune with the Lord? These are questions I am asking myself - I am not judging others but questioning myself where I am at right now. Are we really obeying God's will when we substitute prayer for "obedience" to Great Commission in Matthew 28:19? It got me thinking about effectual prayer in my own life and integrating prayer in my daily life interacting with people as an ambassador for Christ. The Book of James says in James 2:14:

"What doth it profit, my brethren though a man say he hath faith and not have works? Can faith save him?"....

in Verse 2:17 it says

"Even so faith, if it hasth not works, is dead being alone."

While praying for others is necessary and important - it is not a substitute by itself for ministry to others and effectual prayer is impossible without the Holy Spirit filling us daily. Here is a good word about walking in the power and spirit of Elijah and how we can become prayer warriors and really have effectual prayer. I have learned this week to just not strive anymore either in my prayers or my sharing of my faith and thinking I have to witness to x amount of people today to please God. It's all done by Christ working in us and through us if we will just surrender ourselves as a vessel to be used for His Glory. Let Go and Let God. Just some thoughts I wanted to share.

Word for the Week

[url]http://www.powerofgospel.net/word.asp?20070701.txt
[/url]
Effectual Prayer by
Suresh P. Babu

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16b-18

Elijah was a great man of God. He was a prophet in tune with God’s voice. He walked with God and had a life that is led by the Spirit of God. He heard the voice of the Lord and prophesied drought in the days of King Ahab, the King of Israel. There was no rain on the land for three years and six months according to his word. He prayed again fervently to the Lord and the Lord sent rain upon the land. Regardless of this great show of the power of the Lord God, the Bible says that Elijah was an ordinary man like us. He was not a super man, not one who was created any different than any of us. He had the same struggles as we have in our lived. He was tempted in sin just like we do. He had occasions to be frustrated, to be disappointed, discouraged and depressed. Right after he demonstrated the power of God on Mount Carmel, he was afraid of his own life because of the spirit of Queen Jezebel and he fled for his life. But, one thing about this ordinary man was that he was able to pray fervently. He was able to bring down answers to His prayers from the Lord. He demonstrated what an effectual prayer of the righteous man could be like. He demonstrated that this sort of prayer avails much. We long to be like Elijah; we all want to see the hand of God move mightily as Elijah was able to demonstrate; we all would like to be able to pray like Elijah and see results for our prayers. But many do not see an answer to their prayers! Many are disappointed that God is not answering their prayers. Some have started doubting if God answers prayers at all today and some have come to the conclusion that God does not answer their prayers and have given up prayer. Today the Holy Spirit is dealing with such people who have given up on prayer and have given up on fellowship with the Lord. If you are the one who he is dealing with, I have news for you! You can pray like Elijah; you too can see mighty results as the Lord demonstrated through Elijah; you too can bring down the heaven as you pray!

Bible says that God hears prayers. When Psalmist was addressing God in Psalm 65:2, he said, “O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come”. It is God’s nature to hear prayers and to answer them. He is not a lifeless idol who cannot see or hear. He is a God who is alive. He hears prayers and grants answers to them. That is why all flesh will come to Him one day with prayers. Even the ones who do not know Him, the Lord Jesus Christ will come to know Him in His second coming. Even the ones who pierced Him will notice and recognize Him. He is alive indeed. He was crucified and was laid in a tomb. But He was resurrected on the third day by the power of the Father God almighty and is alive for evermore, Hallelujah! So, He does hear prayers. God heard the prayer of Jabez for honor and He granted him his desires and made him more honorable than his brothers. (I Chronicles 4:10). God heard the prayer of childless Hannah and granted her the grace to be the mother of children (I Samuel 1, 2). God heard the prayer of Job as he prayed for his friends and changed his captivity, revived him and blessed him more than before (Job 42: 10, 11). God heard the prayer of Joshua as he commanded the Sun and Moon to stop still and grated that they stayed still for a period of twelve hours (Joshua 10:12-14). God heard the prayers of Moses as he stood on the mountain top with raised hands for the victory of Israel and he granted the people of Israel victory (Exodus 17:8-16). God heard the prayer of the Church as they prayed for Peter’s release and brought Peter out of the prison with a mighty outstretched arm (Acts 12)! Jesus heard the prayer of a blind man who pleaded for healing and restored his eyesight immediately (Mark 10:46-52). That same God will hear your prayers. Get out of your unbelief and discouragement today. Go to the Lord on your knees repenting for the prayer less days you have had and seek Him while He is yet near! He will respond; He will grant the desired blessings for you!

But there are requirements for an effective prayer. An effectual prayer requires a relationship with the Lord. An effectual prayer requires a cost to be paid that of Godliness and righteousness and God fearing life. An effectual prayer requires absolute surrender to the total will of Father God. Bring yourself before the Lord and commit to having such a walk with the Lord God and you will see the hand of the Lord move in your life!

Prayer: Father, I surrender myself to You. I know that You are always a prayer answering God. Forgive me of the times when I have not spent the time with You in prayer. Help me to have a prayerful life. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

[A Servant]

That was a great message Nat. It really ministered to me.
_________________
Matthew3:16 Jesus came up out of the water and he saw the Spirit of God
descending upon him like a dove and alighting upon him.

[skyangel144]

Thanks Servant, praise God - I am pondering starting a blog if I get more ideas for writing

[A Servant]