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THE
AWESOME POWER OF PRAYER!
By
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
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Prayer
is the natural outcry from the heart of a human being to his
Maker in response to the tug of the Word of God, implanted
within the conscience.
That
tug is even stronger in the heart of one who has had a
visitation of the Holy Spirit’s convicting presence or has
heard the gospel message! The Holy Spirit’s call to
prayer becomes as natural and desirous as the call for food at
mealtime!
Prayer
is our inner man crying out for help, fellowship and spiritual
nourishment! It is born out of our need and the assurance that
God is there to meet that need and answer our prayer! To the
individual who has opened his life to the Savior, the
Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with our Maker as we enter
into the very presence of Almighty God.
It
is intimate fellowship on a “one-to-one basis” with God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord!
WHEN
WE PRAY, OUR TOTAL MAN BECOMES INVOLVED!
Our
spirit cries out in response to our needs and those of others,
as God plays on our heart strings, encouraging us to share
those burdens with Him.
Our
minds stagger under the weight of sin, fear, worry and care
and our spirits soar both to heights unknown as well as plumb
to incomprehensible depths.
We
groan in the spirit of intercession or exult in the joy of
God, knowing that He is taking control of the situation! And
that by our compassion, care and faith people in need are
being convicted, strengthened, healed and blessed!
As
we weep in travail our eyes redden, our physical strength is
taxed and our body becomes weary! Then the Holy Spirit takes
over and intercedes through us with groanings that cannot be
uttered, and we enter into a new realm as we pray in the
Spirit (unknown tongues), as St. Paul did. (1 Cor. 14:15)
The
Divine Paraclete (the Comforter - the One sent alongside to
help) helps us as we do not know how we ought to pray. But He
comes to our rescue and prays through us to the Father!
The
entire Trinity is involved in our fellowship, as we pray to
God our Father in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!
Prayer
is mankind’s most vital link with Almighty God. It is, in
fact, entering into His very presence with our requests,
petitions and thanksgiving.
When
we pray, God not only listens but speaks to our spirits and
answers our requests in His own way, according to His divine
and gracious will.
The
scripture says, He is closer than our hands or feet. It is
therefore, not difficult to draw upon His power by reaching
out in prayer and touching Him.
The
woman with the “issue of blood” touched Him with her faith
and received an instant miracle. Jesus turned about in the
crowd and asked specifically, “Who touched My clothes”?
Many
rubbed shoulders with Him, but one person touched Him by
faith. She had said within herself, “If I but touch His
garment, I shall be whole”. She was made whole, and Jesus
declared that her faith had gotten the job done! (Matt. 9:21)
‘Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with God as we enter into
the very presence of the Almighty!’
The
20th Century Bible renders the account this way: Jesus said,
“Someone has touched Me”. And they said, “Master, the
multitudes press Thee and crush Thee”. But He answered, “No,
someone has made a demand upon My ability”.
When
we believe and reach out for a miracle, we make a demand upon
His ability and draw from His great storehouse of blessing,
that which we desire!
Another
beautiful aspect, is that the woman received the miracle
without Jesus knowing she had a need. The miracle was already
accomplished before Jesus was aware of it!
‘PRAYER
NOT ONLY CHANGES THINGS; IT CHANGES LIVES!’
The
easiest way for me to illustrate God’s provision for us, is
to compare it to a buffet banquet. Many tables, loaded with
the best foods sits in the middle of the room and guests help
themselves at will. The host simply walks among his friends to
see if everyone is getting enough to eat, while the servers
keep loading the tables with fresh supplies!
The
host is not really concerned whether you make one or three
trips to the tables, so long as you get enough to eat. He
doesn’t watch to see if you take one leg of chicken or two!
Forgiveness,
healing, blessing and prosperity are all provided for us. We
can have all we need! All we have to do, is reach out by faith
and make a demand on His ability, by receiving.
Automatically,
when we tap into His resources by faith in His finished work
on Golgotha, the miracle happens!
PRAYER
CHANGES THINGS
Through
prayer and communion with God we can affect the course of this
world and change the complexion of society!
Prayer
changes things! Many situations have been altered, lives
changed and priorities rearranged by spending time in prayer.
Why
is this? God answers prayer! God performs miracles! He is
real, and communion with Him is a glorious reality! God does
answer prayer.
Not
only does prayer change things but it changes people - the
lives of the ones prayed for as well as the persons praying.
Thousands of answers to prayer are recorded regularly in the
books of heaven, as well as in the remembrances of committed
Christians.
Miracles
of salvation, healing, preservation, deliverance and
prosperity are common occurrences for those who really believe
God’s Word and appropriate His promises for themselves!
A
person gets a totally new outlook on life when he spends time
in God’s presence. His priorities change as well as his
desires and goals in life. And his disposition becomes kinder
and more caring!
SWEET
HOUR OF PRAYER
The
hymn writer penned these words which have blessed millions
down through the years.
“Sweet
hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And sets me at my Father’s throne,
Makes all my wants and wishes known.
In
seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”
THE
CALL TO FAITH
The
twin pillars of the Christian Church are REPENTANCE and FAITH.
St. Paul makes that very plain: "Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21)
Writing
to new converts he said: "For by grace (God's unmerited
favor) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should
boast". (Eph. 2:8-9)
To
believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him into your life is to
have faith! Faith is a fact but faith is also an act, because
faith requires corresponding action!
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life". (John 3:16)
When
you have faith in God, you will believe the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and dedicate your life in His service! Real faith
transforms a person's lifestyle, because faith in God works
miracles in people!
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor.
5:17)
HOW
DO WE RECEIVE FAITH?
According
to the Holy Scriptures, God has given each one of us faith to
believe in Jesus Christ, His Son and be saved: ...think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith." (Rom. 12:3)
He
has placed His Word within our conscience and our spirit which
came from God! (Rom. 7:22-25) The Word of God also creates
faith! "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God." (Rom. 10:17) God has called us to a
life of faith and worship, through Jesus Christ His Son!
The
Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is
impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him". (Heb. 11:1,6)
FAITH
IS 3 THINGS: 1) Coming to God
with our needs. 2) Believing that God exists and that
He is Who the Bible says He is. 3) Expecting a miracle (an
answer) when you pray!
'Faith
in the Father & faith in the Son
Faith in the Holy Ghost, three in the One
Demons will tremble & sinners awake
Faith in Christ Jesus will anything shake!'
Faith
is also a gift as well as a fruit of the Holy Spirit! "To
another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit;" (1 Cor. 12:9)
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith," (Gal. 5:22)
THE
CALL TO SEPARATION
Jesus
calls us to righteous, holy and pure living! The Bible says,
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy
in all manner of conduct". (1 Peter 1:15)
Sanctification
is the process by which believers are set apart for God and
His service, to be made holy and purified from sin by His
gifts and graces and our determined will to do that which is
right!
We
cannot do this in our own power. The Scripture says, "But
of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification, and
redemption". (1 Cor. 1:30)
St.
Paul admonished, "For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That
every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honor."
"For
God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
holiness." (1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 7)
God
sets us apart through the divine process of redemption and the
infilling of the Holy Spirit, but we must separate ourselves
totally and completely unto Him, in order that His miraculous
provision will work within us!
THE
BIBLE CLEARLY STATES THAT GOD DESIRES HIS PEOPLE TO LEAD PURE,
WHOLESOME LIVES - NOT LIKE THE PAGAN - AND BE SEPARATED FROM
THE EVIL PRACTICES OF LYING, WITCHCRAFT, HATRED, GAMBLING,
IDOLATRY, SODOMY AND ADULTERY. HIS WORD TEACHES PURITY OF
THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED!
St.
Paul declared, "Wherefore come out from among them, and
be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you". (2 Cor. 6:17)
God
promises to be our Father, if we believe His Word and live by
it! In His dealings with Israel ~ the Children of Israel, He
demanded that they separate themselves from idols and the
pagan practices of the heathen!
"But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they
sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye
should have fellowship with devils." (1 Cor. 10:20-21)
As
Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ and must not try
to drag Him down to the filth in which the ungodly live, but
allow Him to lift us to the place of purity and wholeness
which He exemplifies.
HE
SAVES US FROM SINS - not to live in our sins
The
Bible says, "If a man therefore purge himself from these
(carnal, sinful & dishonorable pursuits) he shall be a
vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use,
and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts:
but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Tim.
2:21-22)
Again
God's Word states, "Having therefore these promises,
dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God". (2 Cor. 7:1)
THE
CALL TO DEDICATION
The
word dedicate means to "set apart and consecrate to a
divine being. To give wholly or earnestly to a patron, friend
or purpose".
It
is in this sense I now use this word. We should be willing to
give ourselves wholly and earnestly unto the cause of
righteousness, loving God and our fellowman!
The
Bible does not compromise. It is clear in its teachings that
if we do certain things, God will bless and prosper us! And if
we do not, there will be no blessing!
Here
is His clarion call to dedication:
"And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2)
This
stern admonition was sent to former pagans, who had converted
to Christ. St. Paul demanded that they break from evil,
lustful and perverted deeds and live in purity as Christians!
THERE
IS NO SUCH THING AS A CHRISTIAN THIEF OR A CHRISTIAN LIAR OR A
CHRISTIAN DRUNKARD, CHRISTIAN DRUG ADDICT OR CHRISTIAN
HOMOSEXUAL, OR A CHRISTIAN FORNICATOR!
When
Christ comes into our hearts, the Holy Spirit does a work in
us whereby we are liberated from the lusts and perversions of
this wicked old world!
He
admonishes Timothy and all of us: "but thou, O man of
God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good
fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses.
“I
give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all
things, and before Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate
witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment
without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord
Jesus Christ:" (1 Tim. 6:11-14)
It
is certainly a slap in our face, when Muslims and other
non-Christians reject Christianity because of the lewd way in
which our so-called Christian society conducts itself!
I
hasten to say that the rock and roll music, loose living,
pornography, abortion, alcoholism and perversion, which is so
prevalent in our society, is in no way Christian! On the
contrary, it is anathema!
It
is sad to hear Muslim leaders saying that they do not want
their people contaminated with "the abominable practices
of sodomy, pornography, drug abuse, obscene rock & roll
music and alcoholism, which are rife in Western Christian
culture!"
ABSTAIN
FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL!
The
Bible says, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:
that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may
see your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of visitation". (1 Peter 2:11-12)
We
are instructed, "Abstain from all appearance of
evil". (1 Thess.5:22)
May
Jesus Christ always be our example. He was perfect in all
respects - SINLESS in deity and humanity - yet was obedient to
the cross, suffering for our sin and shame, so that He could
save us and bring us to God!
The
Bible says, "Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher
of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2)
Jesus,
“...being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took
upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross". (Phil. 2:6-8)
St.
Paul was totally dedicated: "I am debtor both to the
Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the
unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the
gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek". (Rom. 1:14-16)
THE
CALL TO CONSECRATION
Consecration
is the act of obedience, when we privately and publicly make a
statement that we have given ourselves in dedication for God’s
service!
In
like manner, as we consecrate a church building or musical
instruments to God's service, so we consecrate our bodies,
talents and riches unto the cause of Christ and His Church!
Christ
is calling us to give ourselves wholeheartedly to His cause.
To CONSECRATE OURSELVES unto a life of righteous living and
evangelism!
He
is looking for those who will be totally committed to His
gospel, so that His light may shine in this ungodly world.
The
Bible says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us." (Heb. 12:1)
What
does that mean to the liar, thief, adulterer, homosexual or
gambler? Pure and simple - STOP DOING THOSE THINGS AND BEGIN
LIVING PURE LIVES!
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