Photo by Luis Quintero
Spiritual nourishment through prayer is the central thesis of Walton Weaver’s phenomenal book, The Power of Prayer in Its Working.
Prayer, in its most basic form, is the desires of the heart working their way toward God. And in a world filled with too much clamor and chaos, prayer can sometimes stand out as a very grounding and essential connection to the divine.
As Christians, prayer is not simply a means of religious ritual. It is a lifeline; it is how the soul is nourished, and it is how the spirit is sustained.
As such, it is important to understand the power of prayer, the ways it can nourish the soul and what is needed to properly conduct prayer.
Photo by Rodolfo Clix
The Power of Prayer
As has been said above, the primary act of prayer is to establish a consistent connection with God. When one follows on with this without missing a beat, one is opened to the character and will of God. Where the Bible speaks of His endless love, it is in prayer where one feels the full force of it. Contrary to what some may say, prayer is not just a one-way street. It is only that how God responds may not be in a way that can be completely understood at first experience.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Prayer is also a powerful calmative. There are even times when it has a much greater effect than some medicines, but that is a conversation for another article. Whenever turmoil visits your life and that of others, pray. It is free, and it can be done almost anywhere. And when you do, you will know that there is no need to worry because someone is looking out for you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Beyond just yourself, the prayer of an individual can also potentially reach thousands. Now, what if those thousands prayed together for one purpose? While most prayers are done with one person praying, this, too, can also invite God to touch the lives of others. It is this attribute of prayer that makes it an essential part of Christian group gatherings.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
How Prayer Nourishes
If the body needs to eat to be fulfilled, then the spirit needs prayer. This comes twofold as well, as you not only nourish yourself as you pray, you nourish your connection with God as well. And it is in this mutual relationship that great things are allowed to happen.
One such thing is confession. When one prays, one is led–though not physically–to a spiritual space, where they are able to confess anything and everything, from sins to shortcomings, without fear of reprisal. Through prayer, you can only be understood and never reviled–for such is God’s mercy, which you can know through prayer.
As chiefly a way to commune with God, prayer can also function as a vehicle for petition. While God is omniscient and knows all of His believers’ ills and issues, prayer is one of the only ways to beseech Him to act upon those aforementioned ills and issues. This is because prayer is the most reliable and most faithful way one can demonstrate their reliance and acknowledgement of God’s grace and authority.
Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Must Needs in Prayer
While God welcomes all who come to Him in sincerity, one must be prepared and not found wanting if one prays to God.
As such, faith is paramount. Humility is another vital ingredient. Sincerity is crucial. And persistence is often necessary.
The power of prayer is immeasurable for the Christian. It is the vital breath of the soul, the means by which one is nourished upon the “bread of life”–the very presence and grace of God.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
The Power of Prayer in Its Working by Walton Weaver is available for purchase on this website. You can click this link here to take you to the order page, if you want to grab a copy now!
