The Power of Prayer

Prayer is one of the basics of a relationship with God. Prayer is not only speaking, but also listening. Prayer is opening our hearts and minds to hearing God speak to us.
Prayer gives us direction. We know that life can be confusing at times. There are times when we feel like we’re pulled in every direction but the right direction. Prayer not only helps point us in the right direction, it also helps keep us going in the right direction.

Prayer helps hold us together. The next time life seems to come apart at the seams, take a few moments to stop and pray. We live in uncertain and challenging times. Sometimes our lives can feel empty and bare. We can feel devoid of life and hope. That’s where prayer can help. Prayer and attending church can revive us and fill us with a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit! Prayer helps keep our lives from getting all tangled up like a knot. Remember the beautiful verses from Psalm 66: 19 & 20, “But truly God has listened; He has given heed to the words of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.”
From reading John 17: 20-26, we discover that Jesus prays for our unity. I believe that is why the church is here. We are all called to ministry so that we can work together and express that unity for the world to see. There is much in the world that separates us. There is much more that makes us one! There is one thing above all that unites us, binds us together, that breaks down all the walls and barriers. The one thing that binds us and unites us is the person of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, we experience the love and forgiveness of God. Jesus died for everyone! That’s what unites us, our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Through Christ, we can be united in spite of our differences. You might compare us to a choir or a band. A person sings or plays a specific instrument. Musicians come with their own gifts and personalities. Yet each musician gives themselves to this group. The music lives in them and is brought to life through their unity of mind and spirit. When we weave our personalities, gifts, abilities and ideas into the greater life of faith, we are fulfilling Christ’s prayer for us. Jesus’ prayer for us is that the world will see Christ in us, through our unity and through our love for each other.

Take time this week to read your Bible, attend worship and tap into the power of prayer. It’s the love of Christ living in us, helping us, guiding us, empowering us to forgive and offer the hand of forgiveness that make the words of the song true; “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That’s the only way the world will ever know, not by our
words, but by our love!

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