the power of prayer

The prayers that ascend to heaven work as the satellite transmitters. These are not vain words but are stated in the divine scriptures. The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 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. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God won’t ever turn a deaf ear to the prayers of His saints. He indeed hears them, sends instant responses to those who wait to hear from him.

Prayers cannot be compared to the modern means of communication, such as email or fax, which normally end up in one sided communication. We may be sure that the recipient has received but may not at all be bothered as to hear a response from the other end. The basis of this statement is over the fact that it is nothing great over the person who prays that they receive answers, but by the name which is called upon in prayer. It has nothing to do with magic, but it is the response of the creator to the groaning of the creation.

By increasing our word count or by repeating the same old good words which is often mistaken as prayer, we might sigh, but it brings no good. It is to our own relief that we would do these, not by the increase of words or the quality thereof that God tends to hear us. The scripture clearly says not to think that God hears our many words. Prayers are meant to be chats with God. Is that possible? Yes, He’s just more than a friend, with whom you could speak for long-long hours.

The celebrated Lord’s Prayer is a widely recognized chant. It is just a sample, but not the only format in which prayers form. Many of our parents were very happy to see us when we were born. They were happier to see us walk and start talking. They used to tell us a few words as to repeat in the same manner, it brings joy to them, isn’t it? I have forgotten to say something; I am not anymore speaking the very same words which my parents whispered into my ears. Brute to imagine how I would seem in the world if I had kept repeating those same words every now and then whenever I see them, they would be the first ones to put me up in an asylum.           

The prayers of the saints are stored in the heavens and the angels pour it out before God. In the book of Revelation, we read:

8:3  Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.

8:4  The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.

8:5  The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Is anyone able to imagine the power of minor groaning in the presence of God? The next time we sit in the divine presence, let us be able to speak out from our heart.