The Power of Prayer

There are several different types of prayer. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul instructed them to “pray with all types of prayer”. EPH 6:18 says “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”;

What are the different modes of prayer?

Talking to God – This is the one on one type prayer – where we converse with God to develop our relationship with him. We may ask him to help us in areas that we need spiritual, physical or emotional support. It can often be just a general conversation, like with a beloved friend.

Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.

Requesting God’s Power – This is where we bring a specific need before the Lord and really focus on it and plead for the Lord to help us with it. Where we request his divine intervention and power to be utilised.

Seeking God’s will for our life – This type of prayer requires us to really open up our spirit and seek to hear what God is saying to us. We need to come humbly before him, asking him to use us as a tool for his work – and praying for guidance and wisdom as we seek to follow where his is leading us. We should also ask for discernment and that we won’t be distracted or deterred if the enemy tries to confuse us.

Travailing – This is an intense emotional prayer – where we are praying with all our might for someone else. Bringing them and their needs before the Lord. Asking for a breakthrough in their life or for some specific need to be met.

Spiritual warfare – This is audible prayer where through the authority of Christ and in his name we ‘cut off’ bondages or strongholds in either our own life or for the person we are praying for. This can include prayer to cast out demons from unbelievers. This is a prayer of resistance, not aggression. Jesus said ‘Resist the devil and he will flee’. One should be careful not to say anything insulting to demonic spirits – remember that even the archangel Michael would not ‘rebuke’ Satan. When he was arguing about who would have the body of Moses, Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!”

This is further clarified in the book of Zechariah where an angel would not rebuke Satan, but left it to the person who had the authority.   (Zec 3:2) And the (angel of the) LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (KJV)

Why is prayer so important?

Prayer not only lets us grow closer to our Father in heaven, but also allows him to release to us and through us his power. In (Jam 5:16) it says “…..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV)

An effective prayer life can have a huge impact on not only our own individual life, but on the lives of those around us. Through prayer we can have an impact on our local community, our country and the world.

Prayer enables spiritual growth and opens the door for the Lord to impart spiritual power. (Jer 33:3)  “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”. (KJV)

It opens the door for salvations. (Act 2:42)  “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. (Act 2:47)  “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. (KJV)

Prayer opens the way for miracles .(Act 12:5-7)  “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands”. (KJV)

We should pray and believe for wisdom. (Jam 1:5-6) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”. (KJV)

If you lack boldness ask the Lord to give you it. (Act 4:29-30)

We should always pray with determination and faith, believing for the Lord to do mighty works through us and through those we are praying for. We should always pray in line with the will of God and his word.