Many times we underestimate the considerable power of prayer. And what praying accomplishes in our lives, hearts, and in the heavenly realm. 

Because believing in prayer is not the same as actually spending time in prayer. 

So we often struggle in this area of the Christian walk.

In these current unprecedented days, I desire to spend more time with God in prayer—to anchor myself to Him. I need the power of prayer every day.

Let’s unpack some reasons not to underestimate the power of P-R-A-Y-E-R. Also, these reasons benefit our heart and our relationship with God.

Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer-Praise

P – Proclaims the Lord’s glory and praise.

Proclaiming the Lord’s glory and praise is not just for times of corporate worship. In fact, prayer is a form of individual worship. And it’s never all about us like a kid with a wish-list of wants and give-me’s. 

Praising the Lord and glorifying His holy name is a great way to start prayer. It’s a wonderful way to pray in-between petitions and intercessions, and to finish prayer.

“My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.” Psalm 71:8 (ESV)

Praising the Lord and glorifying His holy name is a great way to start prayer. It’s a wonderful way to pray in-between petitions and intercessions, and to finish prayer. @FridayKaren #Prayer
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R – Renews a right spirit in us.

In Psalm 51, David prayed to confess his sin with Bathsheba and ask the Lord for a clean heart. He asked God to restore the joy of his salvation, and to renew a right spirit in him. 

And the Lord graciously answered by doing all this and more. God restored David spiritually and to his position.

Likewise, prayer spiritually restores us in our relationship with God (and others). And even our position when a right spirit’s renewed in us. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Never Underestimate the Benefits Prayer Achieves

A – Arms us for spiritual warfare.

The Bible makes it clear, we face an unseen enemy and the forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:10-17 describes the armor of God and its importance in this battle. But we often miss the final piece in verse 18. Prayer! 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Y – Yields our hearts to God’s purposes.

I sometimes find it difficult to yield my plans and will to the Lord. But I’m learning God’s ways are best, He knows best, and all the best things come from Him. 

Notice the verses preceding the one we often quote, Romans 8:28. 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28 (ESV, emphasis added)

Power of Prayer-Release

E – Encourages an intimate relationship with God.

We build intimate relationships by spending time with people. So the same is true with God. When we are in God’s presence praying and listening to what He has to say to us, our intimacy with Him grows. And we know and understand Him better.

We note Revelation 3:20 for salvation, and rightly so. Yet, it’s also a spiritual image of inviting the Lord into our lives over and over. 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 (ESV) 

When we are in God’s presence praying and listening to what He has to say to us, our intimacy with Him grows. And we know and understand Him better. @FridayKaren #Prayer
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R – Releases our burdens and control to God.

God didn’t create us to carry burdens or to allow us control. The Creator is CEO of the world and my life because I belong to Him. I only mess things up and create more burdens for myself when I take over. 

And the Lord has a strong shoulder for the burdens heaped upon us from others or due to cultural issues. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Also see, Practical Prayers From Head to Toe.

Featured image courtesy of Adobe Express.

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LINKUP is open! Join @FridayKaren to discuss how we underestimate the power of prayer and what it accomplishes in our lives, hearts, and in the heavenly realm. Share your blog! #blog #Prayer
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The post Never Underestimate Prayer {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Have accusing thoughts ever attacked you after you tried to help someone know Jesus better? Have you left a Bible study group wishing you hadn’t opened your mouth?

What’s up with that?

Years ago, a knowledgeable guide entertained a group of moms and kids on a fieldtrip to a local historic site. However, I sensed her emptiness and wanted to talk to her about the Lord. My conversation didn’t go as I’d hoped. That’s when the negative self-talk began.

Internal accusations pelted me as I drove away. Why did you say that? You really botched an opportunity. You’re a poor excuse for a Christian.

The Bible says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephes. 6:12 NIV).

We have an enemy who doesn’t want people to know the truth about God. When we try to grow closer to God or tell others about Him we invite spiritual attacks. This knowledge shouldn’t scare us but prepare us.

The enemy doesn’t want us to know the #truth. When we try to grow closer to God or tell others about Jesus we invite #SpiritualAttacks.
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Paul told us how to win the battle in our minds.

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5 NIV).

Here are two filters to help you recognize and defeat damaging self-talk.

1. Know the Truth.

Those trained to identify counterfeit money study real money. The better we know the truth the quicker we’ll discern lies. God’s Word is truth.

Notice the difference between what Satan said to Jesus and what the Father said about Jesus.

Satan: “If you are the Son of God…” 

The Father: “This is my dearly loved Son.”

Do you know what the Father has said about you? Do you know the truth about how He sees you?

When we know the truth we’ll recognize the lies.

2. Know the Shepherd’s Voice

It’s not enough to know what the Bible says. We must know the character of the One who wrote it.

Satan knows the Bible better than we do. He quoted Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus. But Jesus knew Scripture was never intended to tempt, harm, or condemn God’s children. God’s word corrects, comforts, instructs, and strengthens us.

Do you hear a harsh tone when you read the Bible? Are your thoughts condemning and accusing? That is not the voice of our gentle Shepherd.

The better we know our shepherd’s voice the quicker we’ll take every thought captive.

The better we know Jesus, the quicker we discern and defeat our enemy.

We must learn to filter our thoughts. Ideas that argue against the truth or don’t line up with our Shepherd’s voice must be captured and made to submit to Him.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27 NIV).

{First published at debbieWwilson.com 5/29/18}

My e-book Give Yourself a Break from Renegade Thoughts and Messy Emotions released yesterday for $.99. I hope you’ll try it and let me know what you think.

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LINKUP is open! Today, my friend @DebbieWWilson reminds us that ideas that argue against Truth or don’t line up with our Shepherd’s voice must be captured and made to submit to Him. Join us & share your blog!
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God also says He is our stronghold.

“THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE,

AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.” –NAHUM 1:7

A stronghold is a type of refuge, and it’s designed for times of war. When we retreat to our stronghold, we go to this one true God:

He Is Battle-Ready

In David’s war days, He and His enemies had strongholds. These fortresses were the places they would all run to when the battle became thick. There, weapons and rations were stashed. Strongholds are battle-ready. When enemies attack, regardless of how ruthlessly, a stronghold is a safe place to go and persist through the battle.

Our stronghold, our God, is just as battle-ready. And He is the victory.

Strongholds are battle-ready. When enemies attack, regardless of how ruthlessly, a stronghold is a safe place to go and persist through the battle. @BethanyMcIlrath
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He Has the Provisions for a Seige

Holding out in a fortress during battle does not work out so well if the stronghold is empty. We need provisions as we wait out the siege. Sustenance, nourishment, company…hope.

The Lord provides all that we need- even when we’re persevering through a ruthless attack. Even when we’re waiting out hardship.

He Is Our Defense

More than just a place, a stronghold is a strategy: a defense. Strong and made with solid material like rock, fortresses are designed to keep trouble out. The strongholds we read about in the Bible, especially those that guarded David, were no exception.

Our stronghold is big enough and strong enough to be a living shield. Though at times oppressed and attacked, those who take refuge in the stronghold of God will be delivered.

God is our Strong-hold: the strong One holding us in times of trouble and battle.
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“HE IS MY LOVING GOD AND MY FORTRESS, MY STRONGHOLD AND MY DELIVERER, MY SHIELD, IN WHOM I TAKE REFUGE, WHO SUBDUES PEOPLES UNDER ME.” –PSALM 144:2

{This post was originally published here}

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LINKUP party is open! Join us at #RechargeWednesday as @BethanyMcIlrath reminds us of the refuge, sustenance and strength we can find in God - our Stronghold in battle.
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