Prayer Is Direct Access to God!
November 6, 2023
“I’ll pray for you!” When you understand the power of prayer, those are very encouraging words to hear.
Ephesians 6:18 NLT instructs us to “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Prayer in this verse is translated from a Greek word “proseuchomai”, which means to to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith (“divine persuasion“).”
James 5:16b NLT assures us, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” The word translated “prayer” in this verse connotates heart-felt petition, arising out of deep personal need (sense of lack, want).
God wants us to pray for others, according to His will. But He also wants us to bring our needs to Him. In fact, because He tells us to do it, our prayers have great power and authority.
There are several aspects of prayer. One of which is intercession. Mediating or intervening on behalf of yourself or others. Prayer is talking to God, but it is also being a conduit that God uses to enact His will. I think of Keith Green lyrics, “make my life a prayer to you I wanna do what you want me to.” This is the proseuchomai type of prayer.
If we look closely, we see many places where this type of prayer is acted out in the Bible.
Miriam’s Prayer
When Miriam was just a girl, she and her family lived as slaves under a particularly cruel Pharoah of Egypt. He decreed that all male Hebrew babies were to be killed; thrown into the Nile. Miriam’s brother, Moses was born during that time. His Mother, Jochebed, hid him for as long as she could. But when Moses was 3 months old, it became too difficult to hide him anymore. So, to preserve the rest of her family, Jochebed made a basket of reeds coated with tar, placed Moses it, and floated him down the Nile. She left Miriam hidden along the shore to see what would happen.
Pretty quickly, Pharoah’s adult daughter came to the river with her attendants to bathe. They found the basket with Moses inside crying. Pharoah’s daughter knew he was Hebrew and should be thrown him into the river. But she had compassion and decided to adopt him instead.
At that point, Miriam bravely approached and asked if Pharoah’s daughter needed a nursemaid for the baby. “Yes,” she replied. So, Miriam ran and got her mother, who cared for Moses for Pharoah’s daughter until he was weaned, and possibly longer.
Why does this qualify as prayer? Well, Miriam was interceding for Moses’ identity. God had a purpose for his life, but Moses needed to know his true identity in order to fulfill it. If he had been raised from infancy by Egyptians as an Egyptian, he may not have had the compassion and motivation he needed to do what God asked him to do. Miriam’s action fulfilled God’s will for Moses because she had faith to step out with boldness.
A Generation Needing Prayer
Right now, we have a whole generation of young people whose identities are under attack. But we can intercede for them. It is God’s will that they know their true identity. Each one has a God given purpose that can only be fulfilled if they know who God created them to be. As a parent, grandparent, sibling, pastor, neighbor, teacher, social worker, counselor, or friend at any level – you can pray for the ones God brings to your attention. Pray that God’s Word for their lives will be fulfilled. Ask for protection from the lies of the enemy. Pray in the Spirit. But pray! Like Moses, their destiny hangs in the balance.
Elisha and His Servant
In 2 Kings 6, we read how a great army surrounded the city where Elisha was staying. When his servant saw the warriors, he despaired. Now Elisha had spiritual sight and saw the angel armies that far outnumbered the physical army. He told his servant not to fear, and then prayed that the Lord would give him spiritual sight as well. 2 Kings 6:17b says, “the Lord opened the young man’s eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”
Elisa then prayed for the enemy army to be blinded, and Elisha led them into the capital city of Samaria! Once there, Elisha prayed again for their eyes to be opened, and they saw they were surrounded by the army of Israel. The King of Israel wanted to kill them, but Elisha intervened and commanded they be fed and sent home.
In this short story alone, God worked His will through the prayers of Elisha to increase a young man’s spiritual insight and understanding; to save a city from destruction; and to introduce enemy troops to the kindness and graciousness of the Lord.
A Canaanite Woman Intercedes
What about our own needs, and the needs of our loved ones? God wants us to bring those before Him as well.
In Matthew 15 we read about a Canaanite woman who appealed to Jesus pleading for her daughter who suffered terribly from demon possession. His disciples wanted to send her away, in their eyes she did not qualify for a miracle as she was not Jewish. Jesus Himself tested her faith. But she would not waiver. She kept humbly interceding despite every obstacle and argument against her daughter’s deliverance. She persevered in faith, interceding for God’s will; which was healing for her daughter and she was healed!
Have you been praying for a loved one, but not seen the answer yet? Look to Jesus, persevere in humble faith like the Canaanite woman, knowing that all you can do is bring that person to Jesus and trust His goodness.
Direct Access
And if you are struggling with something personally, you can go directly to God about it. While it is good, Biblical and faith building for others to pray for us, no intermediary is required.
In Matthew 9:18-22, we read of a woman who had been sick and ostracized for 12 long years. She spent every penny she had on doctors, but nothing helped. Her situation seemed hopeless. But then she heard that Jesus was healing many people. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself because religious law dictated she remain apart, but she crawled through the crowd and touched the hem of his robe. She knew if she got to Jesus, all would be well. The woman recognized Jesus as the only One who could save her, heal her, restore her. She did not let anything distract her or anyone prevent her from getting to Jesus. Her actions were her worship and her prayer of faith. When she touched Jesus, He healed her. And not only that, God restored her to community as well.
Yes, uses God medical professionals to heal people. But He is the one who heals, restores, sets us free, gives us clarity and so much more. Before seeking medical doctors or during an emergency while seeking medical help – prayer is essential. It doesn’t matter who others think you are. If you put your faith in Jesus, you are a Child of God. You can go boldly to Him, ask Him to give you His perspective on every situation so you can pray accordingly. You can tell Him your requests, knowing He loves you. When you do, you will see Him do amazing things.
First and Always, Pray
Sometimes answers come quickly, others require perseverance. But do not be distracted by the clamor around you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and persist in prayer until His answer comes. When you do not know what to do… and even if you think you do know what to do…the first thing you need to do is pray.
Life can quickly become overwhelming if we focus on the chaos, confusion, violence, sickness and suffering in the world. But if we focus on God and His nature and character, we will begin to understand His good plans and purposes in each situation. He can make our lives a living prayer as we seek Him and act according to His will. Then we will see His Kingdom come in and through our lives!