3 Reasons You Need to Pause Before Saying the “Power of Prayer”

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We often talk about the “power of prayer” and it is Biblical.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16

Prayer is powerful but it’s not powerful because of the one who prays . . . it is powerful because of the One to whom we pray.

3 Reasons You Need to Pause Before Saying the “Power of Prayer”

1. If the power is in the prayer, it doesn’t matter to whom we pray . . . God, Allah, Buddha, Ancestors, Saints, the sun, or other idols.

As followers of Jesus, we want people to know that we pray to the Father who hears our prayers because we come to Him in the name of His Son and our Savior, Jesus, the One who makes us righteous.

2. If the power is in the prayer, there is a danger of thinking that better prayers will give better results.

As followers of Jesus, we want God to receive all the glory. We don’t want to elevate those who look better, speak eloquently, or are more charismatic nor do we want to discourage anyone from going to God with their heartfelt prayers of faith.

3. If the power is in the prayer, there is a danger we will take pride in answered prayers.

As followers of Jesus, we want our prayers to be . . . less of me and more of Him. We want to be able to humbly say with complete trust, “Lord, Your will be done.”

The Amplified Bible translation of this verse says:

The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

James 5:16 (AMP)

God is the One whose power makes our prayers powerful.

Like the power is not in the electrical cord but gets its power only when it is plugged into the source. So, it is true for you and me. The power is not in our prayer, nor is it in us . . . the power that “produces wonderful results” is in God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He alone is the One who makes prayer powerful.

A Prayer to God Who Makes Prayer Powerful

Father, thank you for inviting me to come to You in prayer. Thank you for Jesus whose sacrifice tore the curtain to the Holy of Holies that I might come directly to You in worship with my needs and requests. You make my prayer possible.

Solomon wrote that you hear the prayers of a righteous person. (Proverbs 15:29) James said that the “earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16) But I am only righteous through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. I have no righteousness of my own. On my own, I am sinful and selfish, prideful and pitiful. It is through faith alone, through Christ in me, that I am able to come into Your presence in prayer.

Jesus makes my prayers powerful. He taught me how to pray. (Matthew 6 & Luke 18) He gave me examples of prayer. (Matthew 26, Mark 1, Luke 5, & John 17) And He prays for me. (1 John 2) How can I begin to thank you Lord for all you have done and continue to do for me.

I surrender myself to You, in the name of Jesus. I give you my love, my faith, my heart . . . my all. I believe that You alone are the One who makes all things possible. I believe that You are the One who makes my prayers powerful. I thank and praise You for your grace, mercy, and love now and forever. Amen.

You and I can trust that our prayers will produce wonderful results. Not because of us. Not because our prayers hold some kind of magic power. But because of our Father God, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. We can trust His wisdom and perfect love. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows what’s best. He knows what will produce wonderful results.

On today’s note write:

Praise God! He is the One who makes the impossible possible. He makes prayer powerful!

May God bless you today as You place your trust in Him and pray without ceasing.

Click here to read the rest of James 5.

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