Prayer is powerful.  James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

As 2013 comes to an end and you begin to prepare for 2014, let us remember some of the powers/benefits that we can experience during prayer:

1. There is hope in prayer.

For some of you, 2013 has been a very long year- filled with more downs than ups. It may seem like you are living day to day with little optimism for the future. There is hope in prayer. Jesus is our hope.  Don’t let another second go by allowing defeat to consume you. You are the child of the Most High God, the One who created the Universe, and the One who sent His son to die for our sins. There is hope! There is hope for you and your current circumstances. Go to God in prayer and make a decision that you will live a life of hope and not defeat.

"In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud..." -Psalm 81:7

2. There is healing in prayer.

This year may have been filled with emotional, mental or physical sickness yet God is still in the healing business. He is the Healer! He wants to heal your body, your mind and your emotions. God desires for us to whole and free from the sicknesses and wounds that have held us back.

If you are experiencing physical sickness, please use wisdom, see a doctor, and follow their instructions. God can heal you supernaturally, through medicine or even a medical procedure. Always pray and trust God that His spirit will lead the doctors and nurses you work with.

If you are experiencing mental or emotional wounds or sickness, please don’t keep it to yourself, get help. Find a trusted advisor or pastor or family member or friend. It is wise to get help and you should consider professional Christian counseling. Professional Christian counseling is great way to begin the healing process and be encouraged through scripture for the issues that have affected you.

"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you." -2 Kings 20:5

"They will turn to the Lord, and He will respond to their pleas and heal them." -Isaiah 19:22

3. There is freedom in prayer.

One of the greatest acts that Jesus did for us was to die on the cross for our sins. He did not have to take the burden for our shortcomings yet He did. Praise Jesus. In prayer, we have time to take our sins to God and walk away free and clean of the sin (1 John 1:9). This does not mean that consequences from our sin will necessarily be erased but it does mean that once we repent, God remembers our sins no more (Psalm 103:12).

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who DAILY BEARS OUR BURDENS. Our God is a God who saves." -Psalm 68:19-20

4. There is wisdom in prayer.

In James Chapter 1, it says that if any man lacks wisdom to ask of God. Are you in need of wisdom for your next steps? Is there uncertainty about what you should do? Well, the answer is prayer. Seek God.

"Ask the Lord your God for a sign..." -Isaiah 7:10

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” –Jeremiah 33:3

5. There is peace in prayer.

Often times we walk around in life filled with worries and cares. There is no need to when you serve Jesus Christ. He cares for you and wants you to live in peace. No matter what the burden is, whether is something you directly caused or some tragedy that came out of nowhere, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He wants to give you peace and comfort, talk with Him.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7

6. We encounter the presence of God in prayer.

Often times people pray when they need something from God, which is okay. God wants us to come to Him when we need things yet let’s not forget that we can pray to Him to just enjoy His presence and greatness. Let’s bask in His presence. We have fellowship with the Creator of all things. He wants to fellowship with you!

Enter the New Year with godly boldness and confidence knowing the God hears your prayers.  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

Here, we will periodically post blogs to help encourage you in your daily walk with God. 

Check back soon for our first blog!