In my last post, we saw how Jesus’ prayer life highlights the necessity of prayer. Today, let’s focus on the efficacy of prayer: if Jesus prayed, then prayer works.

As Christians, we may engage in the religious practice of prayer. Yet sometimes, deep in our hearts, a question lingers: Does our prayer even go beyond the ceiling of our room?

If prayer was only an empty religious practice, Jesus would not have bothered with it. However, He believed that prayer works. Think back to what He said at the tomb of Lazarus in the scripture below.

“And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (John 11:4)

This conviction is further seen when, as He prepared to face the greatest test of His life—Death on the cross—He went to a place of prayer to gather strength.

Therefore, if Jesus, the only son of God, prayed for things to happen in His own life while on earth, then we should take our prayer lives very seriously.

When we partner with God in prayer, we see things move in our lives and in the world around us.

Myles Munroe once said, ” Prayer is earthly license for heavenly interference.”

Another popular saying goes, “Where there is a man to pray, there is a God to answer.”

When we have this understanding, it places a sense of responsibility on us as God’s representatives on earth.

We begin to see ourselves as change agents for God’s kingdom in our families, in our communities, and in our nation.

Prayer becomes about manifesting God’s will on earth as Jesus said in the Lord’s prayer.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

Looking at scripture, it only takes one person who decides to engage God in prayer to change a nation. The scriptures are filled with numerous examples of men and women who engaged God in prayer and enforced His will on earth.

The Bible says, ” Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” James 5:17 (BSB)

We also learn of Daniel, who realised that according to prophecy, it was time for the Israelites to be released from captivity, yet nothing was happening. So what did he do? He set his “face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9:3, KJV)

In summary, prayer is a powerful weapon in the hands of a yielded vessel. So, I challenge you: Decide today how you will use prayer to impact your world.