"PRAYER RELEASES POWER"

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Good Evening to All!

I have a few things to cover tonight. First, I want to say Congratulations to Tracy Suzanne, author of Cotton Pickin Cute as the winner of the Devotional Book, "The 365 Most Important Bible Passages for Women".

The answers to the Bible Challenge
"What's in a Name Part 3".

1. False--God let Adam name the animals (Genesis 2:19)
2. a) Ishmael (Genesis 16:11)
3. b) Benoni (Genesis 35:18)
4. c) dreamer (Genesis 37:19)
5. b) Zacharias (Luke 1:58-60)
6. b) bitter lot in life (Ruth 1:19-20)
7. c) Jedidiah (2 Samuel 12:24-25)
8. d) Daniel (Daniel 7:9)
9. c) Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
10. Lion (Revelation 5:5)

PRAYER RELEASES POWER

Jesus went to a mountain to pray. He spent the whole night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples. He chose twelve of them and called them apostles. They were Simon (whom Jesus named Peter) and Simon's brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas (son of James), and Judas Iscariot (who became a traitor . . . .

A large crowd of his disciples and many other people were there. They had come from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They wanted to hear him and be cured of their diseases. Those who were tormented by evil spirits were cured. The entire crowd was trying to touch him because power was coming from him and curing all of them.
(Luke 6:12-19 God's Word) Yes, I had to do a double take on that also. It is a book titled "God's Word" copyrighted 1995 God's Word to the Nations. from the Baker Publishing Group.

The Message Bible states it in this manner: At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles: (then listed apostles as above) until Judas Iscariot. Instead of traitor, the message says "who betrayed Him".

Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him--so much energy surging from him, so many people healed!

Jesus knew how much power prayer had. He knew what it could do. If you happen on a thriving church, or Christian family, you can be sure that there are prayer warriors acting on it's behalf. Prayer releases a special power and energy, but is more often than not, underestimated.

People tend to think up other reasons for the good that is happening. "Our church is thriving because we have an excellent music program. We have a phenomenal preacher. While that may be true, prayers are what make things happen.

I used to think that I wasn't suppose to pray except for important things. Things that matter most in life. Well, you know what I have finally realized? EVERYTHING is important to God. Whether I'm praying about something as important as a loved one's salvation, to finding my car keys, God hears me, and my prayers are important.

The reason for this is because He wants to be part of our life in EVERY way. He wants to be included in our day from the time we get up in the morning til we get into bed at night.

He also wants us to trust that He knows what is best for us and if we pray and He feels that we aren't ready for whatever it is we prayed for , we need to realize that He sees what the future near and far holds for us. He knows if what we are asking will help or hurt us in the long run.

We need to let Him have the reins of our life and guide us. We need to be in continual prayer to Him. Prayer Changes Things. Prayer Changes US.

Prayer should be the most important conversation you ever have with anyone. BUT.... When you pray, ALSO take time to be quiet and listen. All the prayer in the world won't matter if you don't listen to what God tells you.

Don't be one of those who get down on bended knee and pray and cry, then get up and don't do what God asks. If you are going to take the time to pray then take the time to listen to God and do what He asks. After all, if you don't think you need His advice why waste your time? Although that being said, if you don't think you need His advice, you are SADLY MISTAKEN.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!