PRAYER: A PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS

Therefore, David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” II Samuel 5:23-24

REFERENCE
II Samuel 5:22-25

“It appears to me that God does nothing on earth, unless man prays.” ~ John Wesley

God has given the earth to mankind (Psalm 116:16); so, He cannot legally do anything on earth unless the redeemed man asks Him to through prayers. This does not reduce God’s power or sovereignty but it just makes believers partners with God – His fellow workers (I Corinthians 3:9). When we enter into partnership with God through prayers, we legislate and make decrees, we silence demonic accusations and we reverse verdicts. Also, we stop generational negative cycles, we lift embargoes and limitations and establish favorable patterns. In the place of prayer, divinity shakes hands with humanity and omnipotence swallows up impotence.

The Scriptures reveal different people who partnered with God in prayer and got outstanding results.

Here are some: David realized that he needed a partner when the Philistines deployed themselves against him, so he prayed and inquired of the Lord who gave him the battle strategy for defeating the Philistines. David never proceeded into the battle until His partner (God) showed up for him; and God didn’t come into the battle until David inquired and prayed to Him.

When the Jews faced annihilation in Persia, Esther went before God in prayers and God stepped in and gave her favor before the king. So, although the edict had already gone out to destroy the Jews, that verdict was reversed because one woman chose to pray and bring God on the scene. (See Esther 3:8-11, 4:15-17, 7:1-10, & 8:1-8).

Imprisoned, Paul and Silas never ceased to pray. Their prayers caused a mighty earthquake which loosened the chains of everyone in the prison (Acts 16:16-34). Similarly, when Peter was imprisoned by Herod, the Church prayed continuously for him. On the night when he was supposed to stand trial and be put to death, God sent an angel to jailbreak and secure his freedom (Acts 12:1-11). All of these show that something happens when we pray. Prayer is not an exercise in futility. A man/woman of prayer cannot be a victim; for prayer makes the battle God’s battle.

Although prayer brought these people out of trouble, prayer is not just for emergencies. It is an on-going partnership that simply ensures you never venture anything without your Partner – God. Furthermore, it is not a routine religious activity for church fanatics; it is supposed to be the lifestyle of every believer. An anonymous quote says, “If you only pray when you’re in trouble, then you’re in trouble.”

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Psalm 34:15-17

CONFESSION

I am God’s trusted laborer and aide, with His help I make decrees, silence demonic accusations, reverse satanic verdicts and establish favorable patterns in my life. I can no longer be a victim because the battle is the Lord’s in Jesus name. Amen!