Let us pray – Part 32

We need to remember that prayer is not like putting money in a slot machine and getting immediate results. Sometimes the results are instant, but more commonly,they are not. Many times prayer is answered in a way that we cannot see or understand. Be assured of this: God hears and answers every prayer, especially the prayers of His covenant partners.

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear,” (Is 65:24). Be assured of this: God hears and answers every prayer. He does so by giving us what we asked for; by saying, ‘no’ because what we have requested is not good for us, by giving us something different or by answering our prayers in a way that is beyond our comprehension.

Another reason we do not pray more is because of self-sufficiency. Many that are reading these words might have received a fairly good education, maybe even acquired degrees or professional qualifications. As a consequence, life seems manageable and prayer is made only when something that is far too big to handle happens. Jesus said: “…Apart from me you can do nothing,” (Jn 15:5). Nothing really matters unless God is in it. And if God is not in it, then it does not really matter at all. When Jesus said, “part from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5), it means you can do nothing of eternal value.
“So, he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts,” (Zech 4:6).

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.” Though this message was spoken to Zerubbabel, it applies to all believers (cf. 2 Tim 3:16). Military might, political power or human strength cannot accomplish the work of God; we can only do His work if we are enabled by the Holy Spirit (cf. Judges 6:34; Isa. 31:3). Jesus entered His ministry in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1,18) and the church was empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:4).

Only if, there is a continual flow of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to empower our lives in witness and service will God’s kingdom come and His will be done on earth. This is why Jesus baptises His followers in the Holy Spirit (see Luke 3:16). Note carefully the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (see John 20:22; Rom 8:9) and the Spirit of God (Gen 1:2; 41:38; 1 Sam 19:20, 23; 2 Chr 15:1; Mat 3:16; 12:28). Answered prayer is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:7) and the secret to this is “abiding in Christ” (Jn 15:1-17).
Read Isaiah 59:15-16: why was the Lord appalled?“So truth fails…” (Is 59:15)
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