The Word – Feb. 9, 2012 - THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:13-14).

God answers prayer. He answers it the same way we would if we had infinite wisdom, love and power. Sometimes He gives us what we want, sometimes He gives us something better, but always what we need. Sometimes He answers our prayers quickly; at other times He teaches us to wait patiently. Sometimes when we feel a desperate need in our heart and ask Him to meet the need, we are shocked as to how He answers.

There are conditions to be met when we pray. Often what seems like a blank check ("If you ask anything in my name") has conditions attached. Individual prayer promises must always be considered in the light of all other Scriptures on the subject.

There are mysteries to prayer. It is easy to think of all kinds of questions about the "whys" and "wherefores". But for the most part, it is better to pray and see God work than try to figure out why He meets our needs in the way He does.

When we remember to pray correctly and do so in "Jesus Name", it is just the same as if He were making the requests to the Father Himself. This is what gives such significance and power to our prayers.

The best prayer comes from a strong, inward necessity, which means that the more we are dependent on the Lord, the more effective our prayer life will be. When we pray, we see things happen that would never happen otherwise. Our lives crackle with the supernatural when we pray. We become radioactive with the power of the Holy Spirit. And when we touch other lives, something happens to give glory to God.