Who Experiences The Power Of Prayer?
Those who have been separated. Let’s look at the impressive examples of three Old Testament personalities whose names begin with the letter “J.”• Jacob: Jacob’s calculations did not help when Esau threateningly approached him with 400 men. He had only the word of the Lord on which to rely. He claimed it twice in his prayer and climaxed in the complete victory of Peniel, “…the LORD which saidst unto me…” (Genesis 32:9), “And thou saidst…” (verse 12). He was separated from his possessions. When he came to the river Jabbok, He allowed himself to be separated from his family and children (verses 22-25). Then came his victorious prayer: “…I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (verse 26). Thus, only the one who is really separated from the things of this world will experience the unlimited power of prayer.

• Jabez: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (1st Chronicles 4:10). This man was separated from self.

But the Bible says: “…Jabez was more honourable than his brethren…” (1st Chronicles 4:9). He could sense that God’s unlimited power would be revealed; therefore he cried out: “…Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me….”

Allow yourself to be separated from your self-satisfaction by breaking out and calling to Him, “Oh that thou wouldest bless me, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me!” Child of God, break away from the limitations of your short-sighted self! The Lord wants to widen your borders (enlarge your coast) worldwide! “…And God granted him that which he requested” (1st Chronicles 4:10).

• Jehoshaphat: “Our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2nd Chronicles 20:12). Jehoshaphat was separated from his own power. In view of the great army of the children of Ammon and Moab, he confessed to the Lord:

• His lack of strength: “…we have no might….”
• His lack of wisdom: “…neither know we what to do….”
• His reliance upon the Lord alone: “…but our eyes are upon thee.”

Are you without strength? Yes, I am powerless, but this makes me even more dependent upon His strength!

Without wisdom? Yes, but because I am unwise, I can count on His infinite wisdom all the more.

Genuine prayer is an expression of the greatest dependence on Him alone. But only those who are completely separated and freed from self can become dependent upon Him.

Allow yourself to be separated from your own abilities, possessions, flesh and blood, self-satisfaction, your own strength and from your presumptuous manner of knowing better. Then you will have nothing left – and yet you will have everything! You lose yourself, but you gain Him! Your own nature will be broken, but you have broken through to Him. After you have separated from all earthly, temporal things, you will become more intimately bound to Him, the Eternal One. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!

Who Won’t Experience The Power Of Prayer?
• Stubborn, irreconcilable people. Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25). Will you not be reconciled today with your neighbor or your relative? Forgive him for Jesus’ sake, for you too have been forgiven much!

• Those who have fallen away from the Lord. What is a backslider? It is a child of God who has departed from his stand for the Lord, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). From what works have you fallen?

• Those who do not pray. The more negligent you are of this work, the less desire you will have to pray. Has your prayer life become increasingly superficial and hurried? If so, it is because you have fallen away, you are a backslider!

• You have become negligent about reading Scripture. You can no longer say with Job, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips: I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Come back you wayward child of God!

The Power of Prayer. It is available to you. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart! Confess to Him your condition! I can assure you that He wants to make you a powerful person of prayer. His blood will cleanse you from all sin!

–Dr. Wim Malgo