The Power of Prayer

Prayer is powerful. It seems cliche to say that, but when we truly comprehend the power that prayer can have in our lives, we realize just how needed and necessary it is. Today, we are looking at the topic of prayer and the effect it can have in our lives. Join me in praying before we get started.

God, I thank You for the opportunity to come to You at all times through prayer. I pray right now that You will open my heart to what You have to say to me during this time. I not only want to talk with You, I want to listen to what You have to say as well.

Matthew 6:5-13 (NLT)
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.


Prayer can be a hard topic, one that many shy away from. How many of us, when in a public setting and someone asks who wants to pray, immediately make sure that we’re not making any eye contact? Praying can feel awkward; we might feel as if we are being judged by those who are listening. But prayer is extremely important and necessary in our walk with God. Think of a time when you have been asked to pray. How did that make you feel?

I want to talk first about what prayer is not. Prayer is not something we do to see what we can get out of it. Prayer is also not something we do in order to bring attention to ourselves. Prayer is so much more powerful than that. How do you view prayer? Do you see it as a conversation with God? Or something you do only in the case of an emergency?

Prayer is all about relationship. Like any relationship, prayer takes work and persistence. It is being honest and open with God and letting Him know what is on your heart. Your prayer life should be consistent and steady. It should be a constant conversation with God through every circumstance…big or small. When things feel out of control, those are times when you need to go to God, be in His presence, and talk with Him. God’s direction and power in your life is directly related to your prayer life. So how is your prayer life?

As you reflect on your prayer life, I urge you to just sit in the presence of God and talk with Him. Take this time to truly reflect on how you view prayer. Are you being ritualistic with your prayers, or are they from the heart? Are you leaning into God and having those constant conversations with Him when all the problems and worries of the day are coming at you? Or are you trying to handle them on your own? Take this time to be honest with God. If you’re not sure what to say, use the prompts below to get you started.

God, I struggle with my prayer life…

God, I want to grow deeper in my prayer life with You…

God, I am so grateful for my relationship with You and our conversations…

It is truly my hope and prayer that you are able to continue to grow in your prayer life and your relationship with God. He is there waiting for you to come to Him, and He wants to lead you. Let Him show you the power that prayer can have in your life!