Do You Need Power

Read

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Think

Prayer isn’t just a quiet conversation with God—it’s a force that shapes the world. Saint John Chrysostom described it powerfully when he wrote, “Prayer… is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings… The potency of prayer has subdued the strength of fire. It has bridled the rage of lions, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases… rescued cities from destruction, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt.” We’re reminded that prayer isn’t a passive act; it’s a spiritual weapon with the power to bring heaven down to earth.

Think about those words for a moment. Prayer has subdued fire—like when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were protected from the flames of a blazing furnace. It has bridled the rage of lions—just as Daniel was spared in the lions' den when he called on God. And it has burst the chains of death—like when Peter was freed from prison by an angel after the church prayed earnestly for his release. These aren’t just ancient stories; they testify to the living God who listens and responds when Christians pray.

But prayer didn’t only move in the grand and dramatic moments in Scripture. Chrysostom reminds us that prayer has assuaged diseases, rescued cities, and even arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. Prayer touches every aspect of life—from the monumental battles we face to the quiet struggles in our hearts. How often do we feel powerless in the face of illness, fear, or uncertainty? Yet, through prayer, we are tapping into the strength of God himself. In his presence, even the heaviest burdens begin to lift.

Today, think about the power that is at your disposal through prayer. Whether you are facing battles that feel like roaring lions or silent struggles that you carry in your heart, remember that prayer is more than just words. It is a connection to the God who can heal, restore, and deliver. Take your burdens to him, believing that the same God who expanded the gates of heaven and subdued the strength of fire hears you now. You’re not praying to a distant deity, but to a Father who bends down to listen and respond. Let your prayers be bold, knowing that the impossible becomes possible through them.

Apply

Pray specifically for one situation in your life where you feel powerless or unsure. Ask God to move in that area and trust that he is already at work.

Pray

Lord, I come to you knowing that prayer has incredible power, yet I often forget to tap into it. Help me trust that you will hear me and be at work when I call you. I lift the areas where I feel overwhelmed or powerless, asking for your strength, healing, and guidance. Teach me to pray boldly, knowing you will answer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.