PRAYER: A DIVINE PARTNERSHIP

…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 (AMPC)

REFERENCE
James 5:13-18 (AMPC)

Prayer is often an area of challenge for many Christians; and some have gradually become lax in their prayer lives. The fire on the altar of many Christians is dying down due majorly to the preoccupation of ‘other things’ the world presents – interesting TV shows, social media, work, etc. The real problem however, is a lack of proper understanding of how important prayer is. Because the consequence of prayerlessness doesn’t show immediately, prayer is usually avoided and ignored.

Nevertheless, prayer is primarily a divine partnership with God. Partnership is the coming together of two or more people to undertake an action.  It connotes shared responsibilities and benefits. Businesses go into partnership because they understand the leverage it gives – it compensates for their weaknesses and allows them to benefit from the strength of their partners. Likewise, prayer is partnership that brings God on the scene. God’s first choice in doing anything on earth is to recruit human partners to work with (Ezekiel 22:30). Thus, God needs believers to pray and open the portals for Him to step into the affairs of men; through prayer, believers exchanges their weakness with God’s strength.

It is human to need assistance in life; and there is none better than God to provide the assistance you need to live victoriously on earth. Jesus stated clearly in John 15:5 that we can’t do anything unless we abide in Him. Abiding in Him entails seeking Him in prayer, and this prayer partnership is one that works. Let’s consider some vital reasons why you need this divine partnership:

1. You are contending with the spiritual host of darkness who want to ensure that certain negative patterns continue in your life; so, you must fight the good fight of faith with the mighty weapons of God to pull them down (Ephesians 6:12 TLB, II Corinthians 10:4).
2. You are limited by your five senses and can easily make mistakes, so you need this prayer partnership. Prayer activates the sixth sense – the realm of faith. Prayer reveals things to you by the help of the Spirit who tells you things to come (John 16:13, Romans 8:26-27).
3. You are limited in resources, ability, time and space, but with prayer you can scale through these barriers. Prayer empowers you because in prayers you lock hands with the God who made heaven and earth; and at that point your power and influence are multiplied (Matthew 8:5-8, Psalm 107:20).

The tremendous power that prayer generates is an evidence of who our partner is. The fact that you can get results when you pray shows that your partner is indeed a mighty God. If you know that God is mighty and He is on your side, why not take advantage of who He is and all He has to offer you today?

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Exodus 33:15 & Psalm 61:1-2

PRAYER
Dear Lord, awaken my spirit to understand the importance of the partnership we have through prayers. Help me to play my part effectively in bringing Your will to bear in my life and in the affairs of men in Jesus’ name.