4) Share in His Power
Prayer starts with praise of God’s character, next it clearly states the petition of the prayer, and then stands on the promises of God’s word for the answer, and through faith in His promises we share in God’s power!
When we pray “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13b), we pray in His power, not ours.
Power is defined as the ability to act or produce an effect, legal or official authority, capacity, or right. We speak of people as being in power, meaning they have authority over something or ability to accomplish something.
We share in God’s power when we pray and claim His promises. Sharing in God’s power is to believe that God has answered your prayer, not because you deserve it, or are worthy of answered prayer, but because you are claiming His promises – and His promises will not return void!
Isaiah 55:11 is the promise that the Bible always hits its mark, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
We can believe that God has answered. We do not need to arise from our knees in doubt and wonder. If we start in praise, state our petition, and stand on His promise, we share in His power!
The Power of Faith
Faith is the key to prayer power. Prayer is power in the hand of faith. Prayer that is fueled by faith is prayer that is ignited with power. Prayer that is backed with faith is prayer that opens heaven’s storehouse.
The power of prayer is not in the words we recite, but in the faith we express. The power of prayer is in the belief we have in the God we pray too!
Jesus emphasized the power of faith when he said, “Have faith in God.
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.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:22-24).
In biblical prayer, faith is focusing on the God of Scripture, believing that He hears and trusting that He answers. Faith is rising from our knees in power and not in doubt. We should not nullify prayer by rehearsing and repeating the problem, but we should rise from our prayer in gratitude that He has answered according to who He is.
Bible-Centered Faith
Faith in God comes from having faith in God’s word. Having stood on God’s promises, our faith is based on God’s word when we pray. Romans 10:17 reminds us that, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
As we practice the principles of prayer that start with praise, stating the petition, standing on Bible promises, we will grow in the power of faith!
We live by faith and not by reliance on our own works. We live by the old adage that says, “God says it, I believe it, and that settles it.”
We thank God for hearing and answering our prayers, not because we visually see the objects of our prayers, but because we in faith see the character of our God. We trust in Him and who He is. We trust in His word and His will.
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-rophe, our Healer!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah- nissi, our Banner!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-m’keddesh, our Sanctifier!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-shalom, our Peace!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-rohi, our Shepherd!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-tisdkenu, our Righteousness!
We rise from our knees in power, because we are standing on the promise of Jehovah-shammah, our Ever-Present Lord!
More than a Science
Jesus did not give us lessons in prayer as an academic exercise. Jesus did not intend to simply provide us with study material on the topic of prayer. He desires that we go beyond the science of prayer to experience the power of prayer!
Prayer is not our power, but His power! Prayer is not dependent on divine explanation, but it is experienced through divine dependence. Prayer is not dependent on seeking the right words, but it is dependent on our earnestness of seeking the right God. Prayer is not what comes from the roof our mouth, but what comes from the bottom of our heart.
God desires to share His power with us that we may share it with others. God shares His power to make us great. “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” -1 Chronicles 29:11-12.
God shares His power that we may get wealth. “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth” -Deuteronomy 8:18.
God shares His power to strengthen us. “Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!” -Psalms 68:35 (ESV).
God shares His power for salvation. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” -1 Peter 1:5.
God shares His power that we may be empowered to empower others!
Power from on High
Prayer is the pause that empowers. No prayer, no power. A praying Christian is a powerful Christian. God desires that we live victorious lives. God desires that we live lives filled with His power not ours, but His!
The way this happens is through prayer. Remember what Jesus told His disciples: “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” -Luke 24:49.
The disciples tarried in prayer and the Holy Spirit came down as power from on high! The same power is available to us as we tarry in prayer.
In Scripture, Jesus spoke most about the endowment of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God’s power for our lives. When we pray for the blessings of God upon our lives, we are asking for the power of the Holy Spirit.
In His great discourse upon the Holy Spirit, Jesus teaches us seven specific aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministering power.
First, in John 14:17 we read “…for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
When we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and have received His Holy Spirit, then through faith, we can believe and live in the promise that His power is in us and with us!
The Apostle John also put it this way, “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” –1 John 4:4
Second, in John 14:26 we read “…he shall teach you all things,…”
The Holy Spirit will teach you! He instructs us through conviction. He teaches us right and wrong through the divine influence of His instruction.
The Israelite praise to God for leading them through the wilderness, points out their recognition of the Holy Spirit as our instructor, when they said, “Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not…” – Nehemiah 9:20
Third, in John 14:26 we read “…and bring all things to your remembrance…”
The Holy Spirit will remind you of God’s words! How many times have you been in a circumstance where a Bible verse or teaching suddenly comes to mind?
The Apostle John records this experience when he wrote, “…his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” -John 2:22
Forth, in John 15:46 we read “…he shall testify of me [Jesus].”
The Holy Spirit will bring testimony to Jesus Christ! He leads praise to Jesus, and does not make Himself the focal point of worship. The Holy Spirit empowers us to give testimony and praise to Jesus Christ.
“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitiest the praises of Israel” declares Psalms 22:3.
Fifth, in John 16:8 we read “…he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment”
The Holy Spirit will convict us. He convicts us of our sin, He convicts us of our need of Christ’s righteousness, and He convicts us that Satan already stands condemned!
This verse goes on to explain: “Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” –John 16:9-11.
Sixth, in John 16:3 we read “…he will guide you into all truth…”
The Holy Spirit will lead you into biblical and spiritual growth. He will guide you into truth – the written word and the living Word. He will not convict you and leave you, but will guide you through your Christian walk.
Isaiah gives us this insight on how He guides us: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” -Isaiah 30:21
Seventh, in John 16:4 we read “…He shall glorify me [Jesus]”
The Holy Spirit will bring glorification of Jesus Christ. He causes individuals to suddenly realize the glory, the fullness, the awesomeness of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. He moves upon the sin-harden heart to yield to Jesus as Lord and give glory to Him.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to point to the Lord Jesus, not to ourselves, in conversation, behavior, and testimony.
Jesus said it this way: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” -John 12:32.
Powered to Evangelize
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for our own good, but for the good of others. We have been won to win. When the Holy Spirit comes upon our lives we become His influence. The Holy Spirit is the fuel of our witness, the power of our evangelism.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:18-20.
Prayer is the power cord of evangelism, because it is the means by which the Spirit of God goes forth to influence and convict the human heart.
Sidlow Baxter, an associate of Charles Spurgeon once said, “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers.”
Points of Power
There are seven other Bible insights to consider on the topic of sharing in God’s power through our prayer life.
In Acts we see that we share in the edification power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” -Acts 9:31
We share in God’s power to build us up and strengthen us as believers and churches.
In Acts we see that we share in the witnessing power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
We share in God’s power to give witness to others regarding His goodness, love, redemption, and solutions to mankind’s problems.
In James we see that we share in the healing power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” -James 5:14-15
We share in God’s power to minister His healing love and experience His healing power.
In Romans we see that we share in the agapa power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” -Romans 5:5
We share in God’s power as channels of His love and as ministers of His compassion.
In Ephesians we see that we share in the sealing power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” -Ephesians 1:13
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” -Ephesians 4:30
We share in God’s power when His Spirit seals us with spiritual freshness and from outside contaminants of ungodly influences.
In 1 Thessalonians we see that we share in the ceaseless power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
We share in God’s power when we know the joy of ceaseless prayer as a spirit and attitude of communion with the Lord.
In Romans we see that we share in the intercession power of the Holy Spirit through the practice of prayer…
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” –Romans 8:26
We share in God’s power as His Spirit empowers our prayer life and intercession on our behalf.
End-Time Prayer Power
Jesus, in talking about last day events warned, “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” Luke 21:36 (ESV).
1 Peter 4:7 says, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye sober, and watch unto prayer.”
God calls us to pray because of the times in which we are living. Our society is losing its ability or want to distinguish between right or wrong, godliness or wickedness, normalcy or deviance.
Would any believer deny that sin is more prevalent in our society today than it was in our parent’s day?
We have locks on our doors to prevent unwanted thieves. We install alarm systems to assure us that our possessions remain in our houses. We watch over the shoulders of our children in hopes that their innocence is not violated by perverted predators.
Who of us can say that our world has evolved into a safer, more secure, or less threatening utopia?
Listen to Scripture on the marks of our day in prophecy, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV).
Jesus foretold that in these last days there would be “wars and rumors of wars…nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places…many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another…many false prophets will arise and lead many astray…lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” Matthew 24: 6-13 (ESV).
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible, we should not be surprised by end-time behaviors. As we center our life in the practice of prayer, we can maintain our security in Christ and although we remain in the world, we will not become of the world.
The Blessed Hope
The Bible, in Titus 2:13, calls the return of our Savior, “the blessed hope,” because it is the climax of earth’s history and the return of our King!
That is why God calls us to a life of prayer, because Jesus is coming soon. The return of Christ is the hope of our beliefs, the grand finale of our lives, and the ultimate fulfillment of our promised redemption.
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, taking lives and wiping away homes and property, I was working as a hospital chaplain.
Our hospital received hundreds of victims and my task was to provide pastoral care to them. Now, I don’t care how many seminary degrees you have or what kind of clinical training you have received, but when you walk into a hospital room and come eye-to-eye with someone who just lost a family member or at best, lost every earthly possession, it’s not easy to know what to say.
However, I soon learned that by sharing “the blessed hope” there was visible encouragement. When those tragic events were seen as a snapshot in the power-point presentation of redemption’s history, there was hope to hold on and stay tune for that great day when Christ returns!
In Jesus’ Name
We commonly conclude our prayers by saying “In Jesus’ Name” and rightly so. We ought to give just as much focus to the conclusion of our prayers as we do to the beginning of our prayers.
When you rise from your knees, give your full faith-focused attention on that conclusion. When you say, “Lord, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen” you are sharing in His power by claiming His character, life, atonement, and righteousness – not yours!
When you say, “In Jesus’ Name,” you are saying… “Lord, I am asking you to answer and fulfill this prayer request because of the character, sacrifice, and merits of your Son and my Savior – Jesus Christ.”
When you say, “In Jesus’ Name,” you are sharing in the power of the Heavenly Father God by claiming the covering righteousness of God’s Son.
You are saying, “I rise from my knees recognizing my unworthiness, but in faith I give glory to the One who alone is worthy, my…
Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Gate (John 10:9)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for believers (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13).”
When you pray in Jesus’ name, you share in His power. You are claiming the very name – the character – of our Lord and Savior, in recognition of any one and all of those 103 names of Jesus Christ!
Summary of the Principle of Power
Having stood on God’s promises you can move forward in God’s power! Prayer that starts in praise, states a petition, stands on God’s promises, and is a prayer that puts feet to divine power. We do not need to rise from our knees in doubt and wonder when we can proceed in confidence and certainty that our prayers are empowered by the authority of His Spirit.
1) Start with Praise 2) State your-Petition 3) Stand on His Promise 4) Share in His Power