This is our war cry –
Pray first, Pray always! If you haven’t read our
Prayer Guide, I strongly encourage you to take some time to discover the Biblical model of prayer.
I heard someone once say, “Prayer changes nothing!” I was shocked at first but it led me to dig a little deeper. He was trying to explain that the only thing that prayer changes is us! He was quoting Malachi 3:6 which says “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” to make his argument.
While it’s true that prayer changes us, I’m fully convinced Biblically and experientially that prayer changes actual situations too. Moses prayed and God’s heart was moved. In-fact the Bible says, “The Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Exodus 32:11-14.
In Joshua 10, Joshua prayed and commanded the sun and the moon to stand still (and it did!). Hannah prayed for a son, Elijah prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain (James 5:17) and David prayed for the plague to stop and it did.
I personally believe that prayer can change circumstances, but I also believe strongly that prayer should change us too. Prayer keeps the line of communication open with God. Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5”. Prayer keeps us connected. To ignore prayer is to sever the branch to which we are affixed which is the starting point of spiritual depravity.
Why should prayer change us? Its simple. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is where Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done” (Matthew 6:10). What a beautiful model of prayer! A faithful prayer always asks God to adjust your heart to want what God wants. The more I pray, the more I change. It’s often an undesirable circumstance that motivates me to pray. As I spend time in prayer about my situations, I notice how the Lord changes me as He walks with me through the trial. I encourage you to ask God to change you so you are able to position yourself in the will of God. As we change, our perspective and outlook towards the things we pray for also change. Are you praying in the will of God?
If you missed the message yesterday, Pastor Ashish spoke about the importance of
praying first. I strongly suggest that you go listen to it as we begin this 21 day fasting and prayer. Let us resolve to always PRAY FIRST in everything we do. Listen to the message
HEREPrayer:
Thank you, Lord, that you want our hearts to align with your will. Thank you that when we spend time with you, you begin to change and shape our hearts to be more like yours – compassionate, forgiving, and humble. As we abide more in your Word and with you, our prayers will reflect your will that ultimately brings you glory and produces lasting, abiding fruit. Help us return to our first love and repent when our hearts lead us astray. Thank you that prayer can result in big movements in our lives and inside of us. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Wow! I was praying about this exact thing the other day. I need to pray God’s will more in my life. Excited for the rest of the devotionals.