The Power of Prayer

PRAYERS IN THE PROPHETS

THE POWER OF PRAYER

Joel 2:12-17
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
(KJV)

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS SIMPLE STATEMENT, THEN YOU WILL FIND LITTLE VALUE IN PRAYER. AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT OUR PRAYERS HAVE POWER.

THE ASSURANCE THAT OUR PRAYERS DO HAVE POWER IS BASED ON THE FACT GOD HEARS PRAYER. WHEN GOD HEARS HIS CHILDREN SINCERELY AND HUMBLY ASKING FOR HELP, HE WILL RESPOND.

JOEL EXPLAINED GOD'S WILLINGNESS TO ANSWER PRAYER THIS WAY:

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

JOEL WAS TELLING THE PEOPLE THAT THE LORD WAS NOT SO CONCERNED WITH THE PHYSICAL ACTS SURROUNDING THEIR PRAYERS (SUCH AS THE RENDING OF GARMENTS) IF THEIR HEARTS WERE NOT BROKEN BEFORE HIM. GOD WAS EXAMINING THEIR HEARTS, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE BROKEN AND HUMBLED BEFORE HIM.

GOD IS STILL LOOKING FOR HUMBLE, BROKEN HEARTS TODAY. HE IS CALLING PEOPLE TO GO BEYOND THE MERE PHYSICAL ACTS OF PRAYER TO GENUINELY TRUST HIM FOR THE ANSWER. IT IS WHEN WE "REND OUR HEARTS" AND RETURN TO THE LORD THAT HE ANSWERS PRAYER.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: GOD IS FULL OF LOVE, GRACE, AND COMPASSION. THANK HIM FOR THAT TODAY, AND REMEMBER THAT HE IS LISTENING TO YOUR PRAYERS.

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