I will always remember the prayer that changed my life forever. I was invited to church service by one of my customers. At the time, I was a bartender and Church was a place I had no real interest in attending. But Julie was very persistent and she continued to invite me with an enthusiasm that was quite compelling until finally, I found myself saying yes. It truly was a divine appointment that changed the course of my life. I entered church one way and left a new woman!
I remember very clearly the simple prayer of faith that I prayed that day. I prayed “Jesus I believe you are the son of God who died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. You paid my debt. I now turn from my sin and accept that forgiveness. Jesus come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.
What I experienced that day is what Jesus said in John 3:3, “Unless a man is born again He will not see the Kingdom of God”. As I prayed that prayer I was born again!“ I entered into a new realm where God’s Kingdom became a reality to me. I developed a love for Jesus which still fills me with a joy like I have never known, a deep gratitude, and a sense of purpose that is at the center of all I do.
Prayer brings us into vibrant contact with God. Prayer is a vehicle created by God to bring us into communication with Him. Prayer empowers us and lines our lives up with His will and propels us into our destiny. As we pray “Thy kingdom come Thy will be done“ two things are happening – 1) our will begins to align with Gods and the result is a life filled with purpose and passion, and 2) we begin to experience the Kingdom of God here on Earth as prayer allows us to partner with God and We experience His power flowing in and through us to accomplish His will.
Jesus’ word to us ”Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I do and even greater things than these because I go to the father.” (John 14:12) Wow!! What a powerful statement!! Jesus spoke those words to his disciples and He is saying the same thing to us today.
A few years back I worked in retail in a women’s clothing store. I had been working there for a short period of time when an opportunity presented itself. I was working alongside two other ladies when they told me they were both feeling sick. They had been sharing a milkshake and feared it was tainted. Their first request was that I would drink it to see if it tasted funny. Well, I didn’t jump on that train but I did offer to pray for them and they were open to it. So I prayed for them to be “Healed in Jesus’ name.” Shortly after, customers came into the store so we were busy waiting on them. Fifteen minutes later I asked them how they felt and they looked at me with surprised looks as they both felt fine. They were healed on the spot!
They were so excited over this that they started to share what happened not only with the other employees but with the customers as well. The outcome of this was whenever anyone had even so much as a cold we would go back to the office and I would pray for them.
Wherever we go God will use us. We just have to be willing. We are called to live extraordinary lives filled with purpose and passion!!
Prayer is the spark that lights that flame of passion within us. As we pray our faith and dependency on God increases. Prayer gives us direct access to God — it’s intimate and empowering. We learn to trust in him and lean on him. It soon becomes a way of life as we communicate with him all throughout the day.
We sing a worship song at church that says it so well. When I sing this song, I sing it as a prayer.
Set a fire down in my soul I want more of you God
Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain that I can’t control
I want more of you God
The more we know Him the more he will empower us the more he will move in us and through us to Advance his Kingdom.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to “… Rejoice always pray without ceasing in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ.” This does not mean we are to be in a kneeling position with heads bowed but that we would all through the day be communicating with God. Seeking His direction and wisdom in all things. Seeking His will and thanking Him for all He has done and is doing.
Let us remember… Prayer is the spark that lights that flame of passion within us. Prayer is the engine that advances the Kingdom of God.