This grouping hangs on a wall in our home. It is a great re-minder, but do I really grasp it? Do I understand what is available to me through prayer? Do I believe in the power of prayer? James 5:16b says The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Prayer opens us to the presence of God, keeps us close to Him, strengthens our relationship with Him, helps us focus on Him more than our problems, and brings about change. As you have your honest conversations with God, prayer, we remember the power of prayer in the One who hears it.
He loves deepening that relationship with us and has said in scripture ask, call on my name, I am
available always and listening.
If we believe in the power of prayer, let us spend focused time with God and anticipate the changes to come. Let’s be ready to do what he asks and look for His outpouring in us personally, our families, our churches, our communities. Pray with anticipation.
Just an added note, one of the changes I recently read is as little as 12 minutes of focused prayer a day for 8 weeks can physically change your brain—the neural pathway associated with positive emotions, empathy, and reducing negative thought patterns, effectively reshaping the brain over time. (neuroplasticity). Max Lucado. Twelve minutes may be a good place to begin and build from.
Precious Heavenly Father, God Almighty, help us pray with anticipation. Help us be open to hearing from You and be obedient. God, we are anticipating exciting things on the Illinois District. We praise and thank You!
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, ac-cording to his power that is at work within us.