Standing in the grocery line I have learned that for every dilemma, organizational catastrophe, and personal issue, there are AT LEAST 10 sure fire ways to fix them. Matter of fact, I am waiting for the Top 10 Ways to Fix Every Single Thing In Your Life So You'll Never Have Another Problem-EVER article.
I read Acts 4:29-31 yesterday and it got me thinking on effective prayers. Now, I'm not a Bible scholar (I just play one on TV), but I am pretty sure that given time, I can (and will) find the Top 10 Most Effective Prayers, according to Scripture. I hope you are up for the journey! My goal is for us to see how prayers were offered up to God in the Bible-prayers that were powerful, life-changing, and effective prayers, that changed the course of history. When I pray for healing, I want to see that person healed, when I pray for blessings, I want to receive the blessings! When I pray for favor, I want to have favor! It's official-no more empty, selfish, wordless prayers, that make us look like believers, but really prove that we ourselves lacking in the faith department. (ouch)
Acts 4:29-31 (NKJV)
"Now look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Peter and John had just been released from prison. They were placed there for doing a good deed to a helpless man; a man who was over forty years old who had been lame since birth. Peter grabbed the man's hand and said (Acts 3:6) "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
The people were in awe of the miracle that they had seen. Matter of fact, about 5,000 came to believe in the Word of God that day! When the rulers of Israel gathered to determine what to make of all this, they realized that they had nothing against Peter and John. They had seen the miracle for themselves; not one could not deny what they had seen! However, they commanded them (Acts 4:18) not to speak at all NOR teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:19-20) But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
The leaders could not keep them, too many people were praising God for this miracle, so Peter and John were sent home.
Read Acts 4:23-28. In these verses we see that the first thing to took place before the prayer went up is that Peter and John and their companions raised their voices in one accord (v.24) and exalted the Lord-they gave Him the honor and glory due His name! But even more powerful in these few lines is verse 28. "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done."
The effectiveness of our prayers comes from the Accomplisher of the request- simply meaning that the prayers we pray must be directed toward the One who will actually answer them! It is not OUR power, but by GOD's power that a prayer is answered. And, notice that verse 28 says, whatever YOUR hand and YOUR purpose determined BEFORE....We must understand that God already knows what He is going to do-before we even ask for it. But, He expects us to ask properly.
Effective prayer #1
Now re-read Acts 4:29-31
This is a great choice as an effective prayer. The disciples didn't just assume they had power, they asked God FOR it saying, "to speak YOUR Word" and "to stretch out YOUR hand to heal." They did not ask for their own words to be effective, but God's. And, they did not ask for their own hands to heal, but instead asked for God Himself to stretch out His mighty hand.
When they prayed in this way, God showed up. Verse 31 says, "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
Make your prayers effective today. Exalt the Lord, ask for His power, and speak with boldness! He will show up. I cannot wait to hear the results-so feel free to share away!
Lord, we come to You today asking for boldness. God we ask that You show us how to pray effectively, with Your purposes and Your plan in mind. Stretch out Your hand to heal today God, and may signs and wonders be performed in the name of your holy Servant Jesus! AMEN!!!
Have a great day!
Rhonda
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