Inspirational Words - The Power of Prayer

Sweet Song Ministries, LLC ~ Non Denominational Church and Ministerial Outreach

The Power of Prayer

Devotional:

~ Photographer Unknown ~

~ Received as part of an e-mail ~

Jesus' Teaching on Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13 (New International Version)

"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

Luke 11:1-4 (New International Version)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' "

Commentary:
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People of faith have known the power of prayer since time began. All of the great heroes of the Bible, from Abraham to Hannah (the mother of the prophet Samuel) to John the Beloved, were people of fervent faith and devotion. One after another, they demonstrated the power and peace available through prayer and communion with the Creator.

Now even the secular worlds of psychology and medicine are catching on. Studies have shown that prayer (and meditation) can help heal. Hospitals across the land have even bolstered their "prayer therapy" for the sick and recovering. At the very least, prayers are comforting in times of need.

I have recently undergone a situation where my own prayers, as well as the prayers of others, have provided me personal comfort. Over the past several weeks I have undergone some medical problems, and have experienced firsthand the power that prayer can have in one's life. God is first and foremost, a God of love . His love flows freely and transcends to all areas of our lives, including our health. Our Heavenly Father does not want us to be sick, but would rather we be strong and capable of living our lives in the manner for which we were created. At the onset of my illness, I underwent a series of tests to determine what was causing my problem, but did not seem to be getting better. On the morning that I went in for an EKG and Stress Test, I was feeling really frustrated because I still wasn't feeling well, and the medicines didn't seem to be working. It was then that I noticed the nurse who was working with me had a tattoo on the back of her leg which said, "Philippians 4:13". "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The marking was small, yet it caught my eye and in my mind, God meant for me to see it, as a subtle reminder that no matter what I go through, He is always there to impart His strength in my life. I knew in my heart that no matter what lie ahead of me, God would be with me and would work His will in my life. The reassurance of His Word gave me peace. My EKG came back abnormal and my stress test showed what appeared to be a blockage, so I was immediately scheduled for a heart Cauterization. I have to admit that when I went into the hospital for the Cauterization, I was more than a little nervous, but I remembered the nurse's tattoo, and in my heart I heard God say, "Peace be still". My heart was immediately calmed and His peace remained with me throughout the surgery and continued on until my discharge from the hospital. Even today, as I continue to recouperate and get my strength back, His peace still calms my soul and I know He is ever with me.

But God didn't stop there. He proved to me, once again, that His love for us extends to all areas of our lives and that no problem is too big, or too small for Him to handle. Our God is concerned not only with our physical, but our financial well-being, and every aspect of our lives. Prior to my hospitalization, our family finances were suffering due to my time off work and medical expenses, not to mention the upcoming trip to the hospital for surgery. God was faithful in providing our needs and although I should not have been surprised, it was such a warm, peaceful feeling to know that He had even "that" under His control. During the week prior to my hospitalization God provided four separate "unexpected" checks in the amount of $100 each which more than covered the cost of travel, food and lodging while my family was there with me. God even worked it out so that my husband's employer paid him for his time off work while he was with me during my hospitalization. Our Heavenly Daddy is SO amazingly good, taking into consideration all our needs, and not missing a single one. He wants the best for His children, and He lovingly gives it.

And oh, yes !!! The heart cauterization turned out wonderfully, with no blockages and a good report. God was with me every step of the way and just as He promised in Philippians 4:13, I made it though, resting in His strength. My medical problems were due to a virus that literally "knocked my socks off", and after much needed rest and continued care, I am steadily getting my strength back. And just as Philippians said, I made God's strength my own, and I am much better.

So many people have lifted me in prayer over the past several weeks and I am forever grateful for their commitment, concern and love for me. I know, without a doubt. that our God hears and answers prayers, and I know He heard yours. He was with me every step of the way, and even now as I continue to improve and see the power of His hand at work in my life. I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father is a God of love. No matter the time of day, He is never too busy to talk with us. His grace and His mercy are always on time, and never one moment late. God, our Heavenly Father, and the most amazing LOVE you have ever known, is only a prayer away.

I am a living tetimony to the power of prayer and I encourage each and every one of you to try praying daily to experience how the God of the ages will work a miracle in your life, as well. ~ Pam Powers Moore

Meditation:

Father God, I thank You for creating me in Your image. I praise You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I confess that You are the God that heals, my Great Physician. I ask You to heal my body from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I pray that You would regenerate every bone, joint, tendon, ligament, tissue, organ, and cell of my body. This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.

Stories to Touch the Heart and Warm the Soul:

Give It All To Jesus
~ Author Unknown~

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.

With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.

The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven't, do so today and he will surprise you.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly Bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you. Father, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing and believe that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings.

Father God, deliver the person reading this right now and those who will read it in the near future from debt and debt burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk in your word and have the faith of a Mustard seed that You will pour out blessings.

I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come because I know You are not done with me yet.

In Jesus name, I pray,

Amen