Page 7 - January 2021 - Truth & Tidings

KJV). Wonderfully, He “pricked up His the presence of God with our requests
ears” with the sensitivity of His love and and expect God to check off all the boxes,
He “heard them” in the strength of His but God is more than a restaurant waiter
affection. He has identified with us in standing alongside to take our order. Our
every aspect of our lives, and that’s why time with God centers in our relationship
we can come boldly to a Throne of grace with Him, and when we quiet ourselves
to obtain mercy and find grace to help in before Him in prayer, we ourselves are
time of need (Heb 4:16). inwardly changed. Prayer is not pulling
God to my will but rather the aligning
Power to Address the Heart of of my will to His. Our minds and hearts
Our Concerns will become attuned to see His perspec-

It has been said that “prayer is the tive and to trust the faithfulness of His
slender nerve that moves the muscles of heart and the tenderness of His care.
omnipotence,” for prayer activates the Fear and uncertainty will dissipate as we
power of God. The early Church was con- appreciate His sovereign power and the
vinced of its power, as seen in the crisis of wonder of His purpose and will. Anxiety
Acts 12. James had been killed and Peter will give way to quiet trust, even as Paul
had been arrested and was headed for the wrote to the believers in Philippi, “Do
same gruesome end. And so, “prayer was not be anxious about anything but in
made without ceasing of the church unto everything by prayer and supplication
God for him” (Act 12:5 KJV), and at the with thanksgiving let your requests be
critical hour, prison doors swung open. made known to God,” and quickly added,
“and the peace of God, which surpasses
Centuries before, in the midst of a battle all understanding, will guard your hearts
and with the sun beginning to set, Joshua and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:6-7
spoke to the Lord regarding the extension ESV). Amazingly, that was written from a
of daylight so that the victory could be Roman dungeon! Instead of panic, patient
completed – and “the sun stood still.” The waiting for God’s will to be unfolded will
summation of the account is noteworthy: become a reality as we bow before our
“There has been no day like it before or Lord and will no doubt confess that “His
since, when the Lord heeded the voice of ways are past finding out.” As one writer
a man, for the Lord fought for Israel” (Jos commented, “Prayer means letting God
10:14 ESV). Prayer does change things! be God.” 1
Speak with Hannah, Daniel, Moses,
David, Nehemiah, Samuel – so many of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers
God’s people saw their needs met often needs to be our prayer – that we might
in extraordinary and unexpected ways. “know what is the hope to which he has
called you, what are the riches of his glori-
Power to Experience Change ous inheritance in the saints, and what is
in Our Own Hearts the immeasurable greatness of his power
toward us who believe” (Eph 1:18-19 ESV).
Perhaps most importantly, prayer’s Christian, keep praying, for God is still on
power produces change in us person- the Throne!
ally. Too often, prayer is considered to ¹ Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any
be wasted time or a last resort when we Difference? (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
can’t figure out what to do. We rush into 2006), 296.

TruthandTidings.com I January 2021 7 7