The Power of Your Prayers!

 Has it ever occurred to your that your prayers never die?  I read this today and was taken aback by the reality of it.  All the prayers I have ever prayed for myself and for others...all the prayers that others have prayed for me!  They are still ALIVE and active, working in the mysterious way of God's Kingdom.  Everything in His time, not ours, but absolutely alive and at work.
 

 

 

What could this mean for you?  For your children and your grandchildren?  Would it change the way you pray and the tenacity of your prayers if you truly got hold of this idea...this radical, life changing reality...once you say a prayer...it becomes a living organism, even if you die. The prayer lives on in the ears of God.

 

I don't have children of my own, and because of that, I usually think of such things in terms of my own parents and grandparents, rather than my children and grandchildren.  I have beloved grandparents, aunts and uncles, and my Mom, who have left this earth and are now asleep in Jesus.  All of their prayers are still living and effectual.  I can remember moments when I was discouraged that my Mom and Grandmother particularly, were not still here to pray for me...but now I know the prayers are still at work.

 

What about the prayers you have prayed without seeing answers?  What about the children, lovers, spouses and friends whom you have prayed for without seeming effect?  Do not grow weary in your prayers! What a legacy you will leave, even after you too are asleep in the Lord...your prayers will live on and bear fruit.

 

In Hebrews we read about the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us...the Hall of Fame of Faith, some call it. Believers in God's promises, even when they did not live to see with their own eyes the promises fulfilled.  Always one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament, Hebrews 11 is an awe-inspiring recollection of true heroes in the faith.  The writer of Hebrews describes them this way:

 

"And what more can I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword...Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword... the world was not worthy of them. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...  (who has)...sat down at the right hand of God."

 

Such is the power of resurrection life in Jesus.  Even when we are not delivered from our trials, and we do not receive the promises we seek during our earthly life, God's work does not end.  The efficacy of our prayers does not die. 

 

Today we live in a world where Christians are suffering, subjected to torture, prison and even beheading.  Times like these require that we be sober in our faith, knowing that while our lives may be easy, our brothers and sisters in places all around the world are being faced with the choice to deny Christ or suffer...even die.

You have within you the power to pray.  Pray for those you know and love, and pray for those you don't know but love because of their love for God in Christ.  Your prayer is powerful, life changing...even when you're life on earth is over, the life of your prayers will go on; working through the power of God to bring about His better plan, when we will with all the saints be perfected together in His Kingdom.