Life has a way of springing unpleasant surprises on us when we least expect it. As believers, we face the same situations that the world does; how we handle trouble determines whether we succeed or fail. When we encounter problems that appear to have no way out, we have a secret weapon at our disposal. This weapon is prayer, and it has the power to change lives.
We’ve already learned that God makes a way where there is no way, but sometimes we need to be reminded of that. Having regular talks with Him strengthens us. In the midst of something, prayer keeps us grounded and tuned to God’s frequency so that we can hear from Him when we desperately need to. We may not think we’re accomplishing anything simply by praying; however, prayers said in faith make a huge difference. “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
What makes our prayers powerful is the knowledge of how the finished works of Jesus give authority to what we pray. Having the Holy Spirit living inside us gives us a tremendous advantage in life. He shapes our prayer lives to align with God’s will; because of this, we know that He hears us when we come before Him to make a request. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). When the world depends on religion, we can depend on God, Himself.
Some people question whether God will answer them when they pray. They wonder if their prayers are simply floating up into an empty void. However, we can be assured that our heavenly Father will always give us an answer when we ask. “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). This is a promise we receive through a relationship with Jesus, and it gives us tremendous peace.
God doesn’t want us to struggle in life. Therefore, He has given us the faith not just to endure trouble, but to completely rule over it. Religion tells us we must “climb the mountain;” God tells us when we employ faith in our prayers, we can move the mountain completely out of our way. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11:23). This works in our finances, our health, our relationships, and in every other area concerning us.
Contemplating what we have at our disposal gives us such joy, we can’t help but be thankful and grateful. This attitude of thankfulness is important; we must fight to maintain it, even in the midst of challenges and difficult times. It’s no accident that giving thanks is mentioned multiple times in both the Old and New testaments. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1). Infusing thanksgiving into our prayers gives them authority. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).
When adversity shows up, prayer is the game-changer. Our victory lies not in what we do, but in what Jesus already did. This is how we walk as Christians.