If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
If you had access to the most powerful person on planet earth, knowing that you could ask anything of him/her and it could be done, wouldn't you utilize the resource? As last week's post explored, God calls us to be in partnership with Him. And in order to enact His will here on Earth, he needs human beings that are willing to take on the challenge of effecting change.
Scripture tells us that God, who is Spirit, resides in heaven (Psalm 11:4). In other words, He no longer inhabits the earth physically, as He did in the Person of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.
On the other hand, we as human beings are limited to the earth. We are unable to transcend the natural dimension and our physical limitations.
These two situations create an interesting disparity between God's will and our current reality. How, then, are we able to bridge the gap between the natural and the supernatural, creating tangible change we can perceive? How can we access all that God has planned for us, accessing the mind of Christ concerning our purpose?
The answer is through prayer!
Prayer is often mystified more than it needs to be; as a result, people misunderstand one of its most rudimentary purposes: prayer is a means of communication. As we've learned, God wants to work through us as vessels of His light, love, and power amidst the darkness, apathy, and futility this world contains.
But in order to be effective vessels, we must be tapped into the Source of God's power - and prayer is the medium that allows us to do so. It is through prayer that lives are transformed, destinies are shifted, and miracles manifest. When we intercede on behalf of ourselves, our family, and our friends (even total strangers!) God moves.
Did you know that prayer entices the perceptions of God? Scripture states that the prayers of God's righteous people are like sweet incense that rise up to heaven (Psalm 141:2).
Imagine an aroma so sweet that it absolutely captivates you, compelling you to discover its source. An aroma so tantalizing that you can't help but be enticed by pleasure - an aroma so sweet it induces you into ecstasy.
Prayers are that sweet, alluring aroma to the Lord. They attract His Spirit, compelling Him to move on behalf of the saints, and they create an atmosphere conducive for His Presence to reign.
Your prayers have the power to entice the senses of God.
Your prayers are powerful!
But even deeper than that, your prayers are sacred before the Lord.
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
In Revelation 5, the reader is transported to the throne room of heaven. In the midst of the 24 elders, angels, and the Lamb of God Himself, the prayers of the saints held in golden bowls are poured out before the Lord as worship unto Him, the King of kings.
What a scene... Can you imagine it? Your prayers play an integral role in God's throne room - they have been deemed worthy as tools of God's power here on earth; and in heaven, they are used as instruments of honor and glory before the King of the universe.
So, why pray? I hope you now understand how sacred, powerful, and significant your prayers are to God. A prayerful people are a powerful people. When we pray, things change. In prayer, we merge ourselves with an unseen heavenly realm, and therefore, the power of God.
And when this happens, people notice. We emanate the allure of the Holy Spirit, causing peoples of all nations to collide with the supernatural. With humans, the task of changing a cold-hearted world may seem impossible. But with God, through the medium of prayer, all things are possible. From now on, I challenge you to pray with this mindset. I promise you - you will begin to notice change!
So, here's a prayer for you to read aloud:
Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to access your heart, mind, and power through the medium of prayer. I recognize that without you, I can do nothing; but with you, everything is possible. I ask that you would help me value prayer more so I can effect the change you have ordained me to, and so that the lives of those around me can be changed for the better.
In Jesus' precious name I pray,
Amen.
Thanks for reading!
Reflect:
How can you practically commit to revitalizing your prayer life this week?
Song of the week: Here As In Heaven by Elevation Worship
Crystal ❤️