The Power of Prayer: Part 1

 •  6 min. read  •  grade level: 7
PART I.
The New Testament abounds in convincing proofs of the power of prayer. Almost all the great events recorded in its sacred pages stand connected with prayer.
1. The baptism and anointing of our blessed Lord are presented, in immediate connection with prayer.
“Now, when all the people were baptized; it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21, 2221Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:21‑22).
What a scene! The divine, the heavenly, the perfect Man, down here, on this earth, in the place of dependence, the attitude of prayer; and, then, the opened heaven and the descending Spirit, together with heaven’s audible expression of delight in that blessed One who had just come up out of the waters of Jordan, to take His place as a dependent, self-emptied, prayerful Man, on this earth! Truly, this was a scene into which angels might well desire to look.
2. The glorious event of the transfiguration is presented to us in connection with prayer.
“It came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening.” Luke 9:28, 2928And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. (Luke 9:28‑29).
Now, it is not said that “He went up into a mountain to be transfigured.” No; but “he went up into a mountain to pray.” It was to pour out His soul in prayer that the blessed One ascended to the solitary mount. And, be it carefully noted, by the Christian reader, that the solitary mount of prayer became “the holy mount” of transfiguration, where the glorious majesty of the emptied, humbled, praying Man was displayed, and where “He received from God the Father, honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 2 Peter 1:1717For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17).
3. The appointment of the twelve apostles is recorded in connection with prayer.
“And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples. And of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles.” Luke 6:12, 1312And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:12‑13).
The mission of those who were to carry the glad tidings of the kingdom throughout the cities and villages of the land of Israel, was a matter of solemn moment, and the Lord Jesus, though being “God over all, blessed forever,” yet having taken the place of a truly dependent Man, spent a whole night in prayer to God, with special reference, doubtless, to the appointment, mission, and ministry of those twelve messengers. He did everything in absolute dependence upon God. He thought, spoke, and acted, in the atmosphere of prayer. What a lesson for us! He is our great Exemplar. In this, as in all besides,
4. When, by the fall of Judas Iscariot, a breach was made in the number of the twelve, that breach was filled up in immediate connection with prayer.
“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all, show whether of these two Thou hast chosen.” Acts 1:23, 2423And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, (Acts 1:23‑24)
The One who had originally appointed the twelve, knew all about the breach, why it was made, and how to fill it up. Dependence upon Him is our true place. It is thus alone we get wisdom and strength. We can never fail, never falter, never err, never wander, never come short, never never become ensnared, if only we abide in the holy attitude of self-emptied dependence.
5. The descent of the Holy Ghost, on the day of Pentecost, is presented in immediate connection with prayer.
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Acts 1:14; 2:114These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (Acts 1:14)
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1).
The disciples were in the attitude of united waiting upon God, when the Holy Ghost came down in Pentecostal power; and, afterward, the mighty and overawing manifestation of His presence stands connected, immediately, with prayer.
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:3131And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31).
6. When persecution raged against the Church of God, and the enemy had rudely laid his hand upon one of the pillars, the disciples betook themselves to their well-known oft-proved stronghold.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing (or instant and earnest prayer was made) of the Church unto God for him.” Acts 12:55Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5).
What was the result? Just what it must ever be, when faith pours its need into the ear of Omnipotence,
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.... When they were passed the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.” Acts 12:7, 107And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. (Acts 12:7)
10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. (Acts 12:10).
What were iron chains or iron gates to Him who made the world? Just nothing. He could have laid Herod’s prison in ruins in a moment, and brought His servant forth, in answer to the prayer of faith.
7. Finally, the mission of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles is presented to us in connection with prayer.
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them forth.” Acts 13:33And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:3).
What was the result? When these honored servants of Christ returned to the Church by whose prayers they had been commended to God,
(To be continued)