Prayer creates an impactful life

Bikers Church Cape Town

Praying creates an impactful life By Pastor George Lehman “An impactful life is one that has significance in the lives of others. It is impacting your world positively with the talents, gifts and abilities God has blessed you with. So, beginning from where you are, and with what you have, you become relevant to others.” Prayer is the highest order of business; for it links a powerless human to the creative force of God’s sovereign power. 2 Peter 1:12-13 (Amp) 12So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold]. 13I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle (tent, body), to stir you up by way of remembrance, Participating in a life of prayer. When people cease to pray, no matter the reasons, Christians backslide, youth rebel, preachers leave pulpits, missions close and denominations die. “God forbid that our prayer should be a mere leaping out of bed and kneeling down and saying anything that comes first to mind. On the contrary, may we wait upon the Lord with Holy fear and sacred awe.” -Charles H. Spurgeon Paul understood the results of prayer: Philippians 4:6 (Amp) - Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul was a man who made a difference. His influence extends far beyond his day; it continues down the centuries up to you and me. Our Praying will do the same for us There is enough evidence in the bible of the value Paul placed on prayer throughout his 13 epistles which he wrote. The more his life influenced people, the more he participated in a life of prayer. The two go hand in hand prayer and influence. Paul’s prayer life is most evident in the books (or letters) he wrote while in prison. (Many people think, ‘well, he had nothing else to do, so he prayed’.) In reality it’s not our schedule that keeps us from praying. It’s our failure to understand the importance of daily prayer. Not praying says you don’t believe it’s very important. “My schedule is so busy today that I need to spend more time than usual in prayer.” - Martin Luther Don’t let busy-ness keep you from prayer. We need to pray for direction. Paul, in Acts 9:6, after asking for direction, Jesus gives Paul his first instruction. Acts 9:6 (Amp) - Trembling and astonished he asked, Lord, what do You desire me to do? The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. Remember, praying for directions doesn’t always mean you will receive a complete set of instructions right away. But if you are willing to pray and rely on God’s wisdom and direction and guidance and wait patiently as God, over time will make His direction known to you. Praying for the right things. Paul knew the importance and power that comes from strategic prayer. Paul prayed for spiritual issues for himself and those he prayed for.Most times we have it backward – we pray about physical matters, not realizing that the real battles are fought in the spiritual realm.Paul says in Ephesians 6 “to put on the full armour of God”. (Note: all the armour is spiritual) After putting on the full spiritual armour of God. Paul says then… Ephesians 6:18 (Amp) - Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Paul knew if we win the battle in the spiritual, we can overcome all things in the natural. That’s why he prayed for spiritual maturity in Colossians 1:9-11. Colossians 1:9-11 (Amp) - 9For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things-- 10That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. 11[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, If people are living as per Colossians 1:9-11 – spiritually right. Things will always be naturally right. It’s not what you have in the natural. It’s what you have IN YOU that counts. 1 John 4:4 (Amp) – Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in he world. Your influence can’t help but be felt if you have… The endurance to cope with difficult circumstances and not give up but stay in your season. The patience to live and function around difficult people. The joy to respond to all forms of trials with thankfulness. WOW!!! Now that’s spiritual maturity. Putting God’s power to work. How can you experience God’s strength and power in your life? How can you become the influential man/woman God desires for you to be? How can you be more faithful and consistent in your prayer life? Here are a few suggestions for putting God’s power to work in your life. #1 Desire to grow spiritually mature. Maturity doesn’t just happen. You must desire it and do your part. If it’s going to be, it’s up to me. Set time for prayer and then show up for it. #2 Take an honest look at your excuses for not praying. I remind you of the 8 reasons we fail to pray… Worldliness – too worldly, not spiritual. 2. Busyness – making time for everything but not prayer. 3. Distance – Feeling God is far and doesn’t hear our prayer. 4. Ignorance – Know God’s word and the promises. 5. Sinfulness – Sin separates us. 6. Prideful ness – Thinking I’m okay not to pray. 7. Inexperience – Practice the spiritual discipline. 8. Laziness – Just not making time to pray. Ask God to help you overcome these excuses, then do something about changing. #3 Start a prayer list or notebook. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Get a diary or daily planner – use anything. Begin to write a list of people and things to pray for. Write the scriptures down God gives you. Be organized as you do business with God and record the answers as they come. #4 Talk to God all through the day. Any concern too small to be turned into prayer is too small to be made into a burden. Prayer is a silent surrendering of everything to God! You can pray while in the car, in the shower, in the gym, in the shop. God wants us to share all things with Him. #5 Set an initial goal. Start by praying 5-10 minutes a day. Increase the time if you are praying already. The more time you spend in prayer, the more you’ll mature, the more you’ll become “One who makes a difference”. I trust that you are convinced that prayer is a vital key to having a life of impact. James 5:16(Amp) - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].