EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PRAYER
Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
James 5:17-18 (NLT)
At Brookwood Church, we believe strongly in the power of prayer. We’ve seen untreatable conditions healed in Jesus’ name with the laying on of hands and anointing with oil in agreement with James 5:16. If you’re reading this thinking, what kind of medieval superstition is this, we ask you to suspend your judgment until you look at the evidence. As Jesus said in response to John the Baptist’s doubts, Go back and tell him what you have seen and heard (Luke 7:22 NLT). While God does not answer every prayer with dramatic displays, He does answer. What we need to remember is our union with Christ. That’s the true miracle. To deny that the power of God is working among us through answered prayer is not just ignorant— it’s a refusal to believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
The context of our verse today is about prayer for miraculous healing (see James 5:16). In it, Jesus’ younger brother James, compelled by the Holy Spirit, drives home a fundamental idea: ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through prayer. Elijah’s simple utterance upended the Judean economy for three years. It only ended when Elijah prayed for rain. Our temptation is to draw attention to the greatness of the man Elijah, but James doesn’t allow for that. No, Elijah was as human as we are (James 5:17-18 NLT). So where does that leave us? You and I also have access to the power that raised Christ from the dead. Yes, God’s power is meant to be known experientially (Philippians 3:10 NLT), accompanied by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, said, God has not called us to a difficult task, He has called us to an impossible task. Impossible tasks require power beyond ourselves. What are you facing today that requires the intervention of Almighty God?
APPLICATION: Find a quiet place and speak out loud one thing that needs the intervention of God. Ask God to display His power in that situation. Write down and date your request for future reference to track what God does.
PRAYER: Lord, intervene in those areas of my life where the need is larger than my ability to change it. Bring honor to your name through the way you answer.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?