HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY? – “KNOWING THAT PRAYER HAS POWER”

Prayer is an essential and integral part of our spiritual protection structures that are established by our gracious Father in heaven. The LORD makes it very clear in Ephesians 6:10-12 that we are at “war” and our “fight” is not against flesh and blood, but “…against the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
– “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:10-12

Therefore we are called on to put on the “WHOLE ARMOUR of GOD” which was given specifically to protect us from the fiery darts of the evil one and his hosts of wickedness.
– “13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13

Dear brothers and sisters it is made plain and clear by our LORD Jesus in the Bible that…
– We are at “war” whether we like it or not…whether we want it or not.
– Our “fight” is not against fellow human beings.
– We are at “fight” with the very evil that rules this world, and his angels of wickedness.
– To enable us to withstand the fiery darts of the evil one, the LORD has made the provision of His armour.
– Our “fight” is never offensive. Our “fight” is to keep ourselves protected by heeding to the Word of God; by putting in the “Whole Amour of God” and by prayer which holds the armour together in its firm grip.
– “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Therefore, James the brother of our LORD writes in James 5:16 something that we all should know. This knowledge helps us in our “fight” against the evil that is prevalent in this world, and wants to destroy the Christian at all costs. This provision which our LORD had made helps us to prevail over the evil, and persevere in the face of struggles, storms and sufferings.
– “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16b
– “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” – Ephesians 6:18

This power that the LORD Jesus gives us is not a power for violence and bloodshed. If ever there has to be any blood to be shed, it will be that of the Christian, because we choose to walk faithfully and obediently in the teachings of the LORD Jesus Christ, which are absolutely non-violent and  non-resistant.
– “Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer.” – Athanasius of Alexandria (293AD – 373AD)
– “None of us offers resistance when he is seized, or avenges himself for your unjust violence, although our people are numerous and plentiful…it is not lawful for us to hate, and so we please God more when we render no requital for injury…we repay your hatred with kindness.” – Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage (died 258 AD)
– “Only without the sword can the Christian wage war: the Lord has abolished the sword.” – Tertullian (160AD – 220AD)

Prayer empowers us undoubtedly. However let us know it for certainty, that the power is in the LORD Jesus Christ alone, and not in our words and our eloquence; neither do we have any influence, or sway, or control over the LORD Jesus, nor over the outcome of our prayer. The power and the demonstration of it is only in the hands of God. This heavenly power is used solely at the discretion and pleasure of the LORD Jesus Christ.
– “16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16

David Guzik, commenting on James 5:16 in his commentary the “Enduring Word” makes the following two critical and absolutely important spiritual observations, that puts prayer and its power in proper perspective.
– “Effective prayer must be fervent, not because we must emotionally persuade a reluctant God, but because we must gain God’s heart by being fervent for the things He is fervent for.” – David Guzik
– “…effective prayer is offered by a righteous man. This is someone who recognizes the grounds of his righteousness reside in Jesus, and whose personal walk is generally consistent with the righteousness that he has in Jesus.” – David Guzik

Let us therefore…
– Run to God our Father and Redeemer, at the first sight of the storm – Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 50:15.
– Take shelter under His almighty wings – Psalm 91:1-2.
– As the LORD Jesus enables and empowers us, let us use the power of God for the glory of our LORD, for the blessing of His people.
Even so, the LORD help us.