“God has determined that certain expressions of His power will only be exercised in response to prayer.”

A thought by Mark Batterson (2011-12-13) from his book Be a Circle Maker: The Solution to 10,000 Problems (Kindle Location 128). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

I was reading in my quiet time this morning in John 5.30 (NLT) that Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own…” Jesus said that about His dependency on His Father while He was here on Earth. And that is where His power came from. He showed us and told us the power that is available to us through asking His Father.

I am right now sitting in a coffee shop at the Roosevelt Field Mall just after I have walked for 1 ½ hours. The last part of my walk I have been praying for Ashlyn, Addison, Marissa, Brett, Stefanie, Andrew and Margaret, my family. I spent time in bringing specific needs that each of them has to God through prayer because I believe that certain expressions of God’s power can only be exercised in response to prayer.

It is in prayer that I show my dependency on God and His wisdom and His power. Because He is my Father I ask Him for specific things. That’s what my kids did and that’s what He wants me to do. There are certain things that I provided that they didn’t need to ask for but then there were other things that I gave them when they asked me specifically for them. As a father I wanted to provide for their needs but I also wanted to give them those things they went out on the limb to ask for. I trusted them so when they asked it meant they really wanted or needed them.

Some things we don’t need to ask for. He just provides them but there are other things that we need to ask Him specifically for. He wants to use His power on our behalf because He loves us but it comes through prayer. What could happen this year if we really understood this?

Now it may mean He gives us sustaining power through difficult times. He doesn’t change the situation but He changes us in the situation. He may also provide a way out but it comes through prayer. Prayer shows our dependency, our trust, our faith, our humility. God’s power is only a prayer away.

So what do you really need? Have you prayed, really prayed specifically and believed?

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