Privilege of Prayer. Have you ever considered the power and greatness of God? Have you ever contemplated that God spoke and the entire universe was created? Psalm 33:9 states,” For he spake, and it was done, he commanded, and it stood fast.” “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Even down to the smallest detail, God planned and created everything. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead: so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Even the seasons were planned by God. “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). God also continues to sustain this earth by this power of His Word. “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). Consider how powerful one of God’s angels is: “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses” (2 Kings 19:35). If a messenger of God has that much power, just think how much power God has.
While we may understand all of this information, we only comprehend, understand, or even know a small portion of the power of God! In Job’s answer to Bildad, Job is contemplating the greatness of God (Job 26:7-14). “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Notice in the last verse (underlined), Job says that we are only seeing just a small portion of all that God can do. Oh, how great is our God! How powerful are His works!
Partaking of Prayer. Let us meditate on a few of the thoughts that all of this stirs. Of all the people on earth we are just one person out of the billions that are now living. Out of these billions of people God is listening to certain ones. Peter informs us, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Those who God considers righteous may be few, but a few among billions is still a lot.
God hears the petitions, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks to Him of those that are righteous (1 Timothy 2:1). Are you part of the righteous? You might say that you are. However, do you define the righteous as God defines the righteous? The righteous are not just those who have been baptized. Many people might have been baptized. Were they baptized for the right reason? Many are baptized for reasons such as for joining a religious organization which is not the correct reason for being baptized. Were they baptized in the right method? Some sprinkle a little water on the top of the head of the candidate. Some pour water upon the candidate. These are not the correct methods of being baptized. If they were baptized correctly then are they living right? This question is paramount. The righteous are the ones who have been baptized correctly and who are living correctly. That living correctly means each and every day the righteous are living as God has directed in His Word. What one wears, what one says, what one thinks, even the attitude make the difference in who the righteous are. The righteous are reflecting the Light into the world (Matthew 5:13-16). The righteous can be identified with Christ as belonging to Him. That also means that the righteous are practicing what they are preaching. If they are telling others how to live, then they themselves should be living that kind of life.
Power of Prayer. Now consider that when the righteous pray, “Our Father, which art in heaven…” He is listening to what they have to say. James relates, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Think about this: we are living, by the grace of God, a righteous life. When we go to God in prayer He takes His time and listens to what we say. That is truly amazing! The Power of the universe is listening to what one righteous person has to say. He takes time to consider and He does answer that prayer. This implies the power that the righteous have with God. This implies the power of prayer.
Plan of Prayer. With all of this power available to us, how often do you pray to God? Since Christ is our example (1 Peter 2:21) He will show us when we ought to pray. He prayed early in the morning. He prayed in the evening. He prayed before He made a big decision. Yes, even before He chose the twelve apostles He prayed. He prayed before His trials. He prayed while on the cross. He prayed for those who were killing Him. He prayed for the food that He was giving out. He prayed before He instituted the Lord’s Supper. He even taught His disciples to pray. How often do you use this powerful privilege?
Love, Keith
