The Power of Prayer
For months we had planned for our annual fresh fruit and vegetable distribution to the community and it looked like all was in order for the big day. Then the week before the event, we began to experience one hurdle after the other.
This was nodifferent from previous years, so we prayed, committed it to God and pressed on. Then the afternoon before the event we found out there was no fresh fruits and vegetables available to pick up for distribution. After many calls and lots more prayerwe cancelled the event and what happened next is something only God can bring about.
One of the leadership members suggested that we go to the location, greet those who might show up and offer to pray for them. So early on Saturday morning, the small group of volunteers arrived; we prayed and committed the day to God and then waited and expected God to move. It wasn’t long before individuals began to come, some walked, and others drove to the location. They were looking for food and though disappointed to learn that we were unable to secure fresh fruit and vegetables to distribute that day, they welcomed the invitation to be prayed over.
Acts 3:5-16 describes an individual who was looking for one thing and he received something totally unexpectedly and his life was never the same again. I believe that the individuals we prayed for and encouraged on Saturday will never be the same. Prayer is powerful and effective (see James 5:16-18) and we are encouraged to prayer for one another because it brings about amazing results (see James 5:16).
Prayer causes lives to change and communities to betransformed. God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. ... Ephesians 6:18urges us, "And pray on every occasion and in every season.” God is looking for individuals who will stand in the gap for their community (see Ezekiel 22:30).
Sure, you can pray for your community while just sitting at home, but you can also pray while actually walking through your community and for the people you meet along the way. Being in the community Saturday, talking to the people and walking around the area caused my prayers to become both personal and much more focused.
This summer, while the weather is nice, consider taking your prayers to community. Walk around your neighborhood and pray for the individuals who live there. When you take your prayers to your local area, you play an important part in transforming your community for good.
Understand that God simply asks us to pray, the power is not in the words of your prayer but in a God who promises to do far more with your prayer than you can even imagine.
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.—Ephesians 3:20 TPT
Blessings,
Cindy
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