The Power of Prayer

Personally, I sometimes feel that the word "pray" is used so overtly causally that it sounds cliche coming from some people.

So when I saw the title of my bible study today, I was kinda going like... oh, again.

But boy is there a difference when Pastor Aries shared the word.

James 5:17-19

Elijah was a man just like us. In fact if he lived in our world today he will be what we call an "emo" person. A leader with weaknesses, depression. But yet he took just one day to bring revival to Israel and turn the whole nation back to God.

Why? The bible says he prayed fervently, earnestly. Again until it rained, and there was fruitfulness. Many a times we pray for something, and when we dun see it happening, we stop.

Even Paul took 3 years to bring revival to minor asia.

On the other hand, Samson, a man born and gifted with the talent of strength, failed to deliver Israel because of a wrong relationship. In fact, the bible only recorded one of his prayers, and that was his last, (Judges 16:28) but yet because of that one prayer, he killed more Philistines than he did in his lifetime. Talent can bring you to the top, but only anointing and character can sustain it/ keep you there.

What sets Elijah, Pastor Kong, Pastor Cho, apart from us is their prayer life.

Prayer is communion with God.

Yes, we know that. But what is communion with God?

It is relating to Him. Not just asking him for help, giving him a list of needs and wants, it is telling him your problems, how you feel, it is to become more aware of God everyday! It is not about clocking hours, it is about praying without ceasing, every moment of the day.

Don't let the world or the busy-ness of it shave off your prayer life. It is your secret to strength and to life. And just like Samson's hair, if you lose your prayer life, it can grow back again.

One of the things he said that struck me most was:

"Don't always be on the defensive side guarding against the devil's attack, but when you pray, you will breakthrough, you become on the offensive, you are attacking the devil"