Prayer and Praise

I have considered prayer constantly while Krista has been having problems. A verse on prayer came to mind “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The only way we can effectively bear one another’s burdens is with prayer. Sure, we can use our words to encourage, our hands to meet needs, our feet to visit, but without effective prayer and faith those actions mean very little.

There is great power when we pray. While I feel completely helpless to ease my sister’s burden, I can pray. You know what else; the power of the prayers of many is even greater. While there are several passages of Scripture which speak of the power of one man’s prayer doing great things, there are also great promises of the Lord hearing the prayers of many.

I think of Esther. When Esther was called upon by Mordecai to intreat the King for help, she asked all the Israelites to fast and pray. She was moved to have many pray to the Lord for help. Esther could have fasted and prayed on her own, but by the prayers of many she was effective. The Lord chose to use the prayers of all Israelites to show Himself great.

Another great example is Paul. In 2 Corinthians 1:10-12 Paul gives thanks to the people of Corinth: “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” It was God who saved Paul, but the prayers of the people were of great importance to their deliverance. Their prayers were mightily used of the Lord.

In Ephesians 6 Paul gives another command in regards to prayer, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” We are to pray for those around us. Not only for physical needs, but the spiritual as well. Our prayers minister to the body of Christ.

These are just a few examples of Paul’s requests for prayer. He speaks of prayer with great confidence; there is not a shred of disbelief in what he says. He believes that the Lord will hear and answer his prayer. Over and over again he speaks of prayer and its importance. Paul believed in the power of his prayers, and he desperately asked for the prayers of the Body of Christ.

The ultimate example of prayer comes from Christ. Even though He was fully God, he prayed while He was on Earth. He prayed alone to God and made his praise and petitions known to Him. He taught the disciples how to pray. He gave them examples of prayers the Lord wants to hear. He prayed with the disciples. In his darkest hour, he prayed in the Garden with his disciples. Yes, they failed him, but He brought them to the Garden with Him. Jesus sent the Spirit to help us through prayer. It is a powerful gift given to us by God.

Jesus encouraged us with his promise in Matthew 18, “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” A unified petition amongst believers is blessed by the Father, and Jesus is in the midst of them. That is amazing to me.

While God already knows the outcome for Krista and her baby, our prayers matter greatly. In fact your prayers have blessed them already. Krista is going home today with a good prognosis. There is still some danger for her, but it seems far less serious now. I attribute this complete turn events to the prayers of many.

Thank you for bearing our burden and praying for Krista. Truly “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much.”