Prayer connects and channels His power

Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails. -Watchman Nee

Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer. -E. M. Bounds

When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t pray, they don’t. -William Temple

God does nothing except in response to believing prayer. -John Wesley

Note: There is so much to be said about the aspects of prayer, that this post will be among several in a series on it over time. I would count an earlier post, about prayer and predestination, as the lead-in to this series. The posts may not occur all together, but you can search for, or click/tap, the “prayer” and/or “series” tags to find them.

Prayer channels God’s power

At the time of this writing, I was moved to read quotations on prayer, and you’ve read some of them above. Naturally, that led me to reading more quotations, which then led me to check out books on it, and so on. And I want to share what I’ve been learning.

A common, depressing view of prayer

I once heard that prayers were petitions, but don’t make things happen. That they were just pleas and requests tossed into the wind. I heard this from a friend who was an unbeliever, so it’s not surprising. That is a very depressing outlook on prayer, and would almost make them worthless. I suppose the one small benefit to that outlook would be that prayer lets you at least verbally release what’s on your heart.

I’ve noticed similarly depressing perspectives from believers, too. Prayer is too often a last resort or lip service, because it seems to be just words and wishes thrown into the air.

To me, that represents a disconnect in recognizing the almighty nature of God, the truth of His promises, the purposes and power of prayer, and our relationship with a Father who gave His own Son to save us.

Prayer connects us to our Father’s limitless power

Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence. -W.S. Bowd

Prayer is so much more than wishful words. Fellow agent, prayer is a necessity for achieving desired outcomes. Prayer is tapping into and directing God’s limitless power.

Like Watchman Nee said, if God’s power is like a locomotive, prayer is the laying of track to direct His power where it’s needed. But His locomotive is unlike any man can make, because it can travel down multiple tracks at once.

If you don’t pray for what’s on your heart, His locomotive will go elsewhere, on tracks others have laid for Him, and your heart’s desires will go unanswered. So, make the way with authentic, heartfelt, fervent prayer. Lay that track so God’s power can come your way.