Think of the patriarchs of Bible times–Old Testament and New Testament alike.
Reflect on the biographies of saints and pioneers of faith.
Consider Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Jabez, David, Hezekiah, Solomon, Hannah, Elijah, Nehemiah, Daniel, Paul.
Consider individuals such as Charles Finney, Jonathan Edwards, John G. Lake, Smith Wigglesworth, Dwight L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Kenneth E. Hagin.
Add to this list, the names of individuals who you admire because of their ardent faith in God and what their faith produced!
They all tapped into the supernatural flow of God that enabled them to be conduits of the power and glory of God; through which God worked mightily. They left an indelible mark on this world; touching the lives of generations past and present. Their work will also touch the lives of future generations. Now, that’s a legacy!
As you reflect on the lives of these great men and women of God, one common thread that you will find connecting these precious souls is that they were people of prayer!
One of my favorite verses concerning the life of Noah is Genesis 6:9: “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect (or wholehearted) in his generations, and Noah walked with God.“
You will notice that individuals who walk with God, individuals who fellowship and partner with God through prayer are individuals through whom God performed mighty acts. When we partner with God, the divine graces and nature of God become our new nature. One precious change is that we develop a heart like God. I love and appreciate a trusting heart. By that I mean an individual that I can safely trust and confide in. Wisdom and discernment will help you in that area.
Abraham and God had such a wonderful relationship. Read what God had to say about Abraham.
“Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Genesis 18:16-19, NKJV)
EXAMPLES OF MIGHTY OR BOLD PRAYER REQUESTS
- “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV)
- and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:6-9, NKJV)
- “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’” 2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.” (2 Kings 20:1-6, NKJV)
- And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)
The Bible contains many examples of individuals who lifted their hearts and voices unto God in prayer. They walked with God and demonstrated such confidence in communing with God. They literally opened their hearts to God and made their sincere, heartfelt requests known to their God. It is said that we reproduce after our kind. With that in mind, let me encourage you to set up a sanctuary of prayer for yourself. Find a quiet place for just you and God. Acquaint yourself with the prayers of great faith. Do a diligent search for the examples of those individuals who prayed bold prayers and pattern their examples. The Almighty God wants to bless you! Approach Him with love and adoration and make your request known; asking in faith; believing that you will receive!
Oftentimes, we read of Jesus asking those around Him, “What is it that you want me to do for you?”
What if God, through the Holy Spirit, were to ask you that question today? What would be your response?
Since we know that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, let me encourage you not to become weary in well doing. Be steadfast in your prayers. Pray one for the other. Pray not only for yourselves; but pray for your community; for your country; for the nations of the world; your local church; your pastors; your church leaders, The body of Christ (churches); for souls to be saved.
As you walk with God, God will give you prayer assignments. Please be faithful to obey those promptings! You might never hear the full story of how your prayers have affected their situations, but know that your fervent prayers are making a difference in the lives of whom you are lifting up before God.
Purpose in your heart to be a person of prayer…a vessel through whom the power and glory of God rest!