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 The
Life Changing
POWER OF PRAYER
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Jesus
said, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking." (Matthew 6:7)
THE
AWESOME POWER OF PRAYER
"Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
I
have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction
that I had nowhere else to go." - Abraham Lincoln
WHY
IS PRAYER SO IMPORTANT?
Prayer
is the natural outcry from the heart of a human being to his Maker in
response to the tug of the Word of God, implanted within the conscience.
That
tug is even stronger in the heart of one who has had a visitation
of the Holy Spirit's convicting presence or has heard the gospel message!
The Holy Spirit's call to prayer becomes as natural and desirous as the
call for food at mealtime!
"Ask
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocked it shall be opened."
(Matthew 7:7-8)
PRAYER
IS OUR INNER MAN CRYING OUT FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Prayer
is our inner man crying out for help, fellowship and spiritual
nourishment! It is born out of our need and the assurance that God is
there to meet that need and answer our prayer.
PRAYER
IS COMMUNING WITH THE LORD
Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with our Maker as we enter into the
very presence of Almighty God. It
is intimate fellowship on a "one-to-one basis" with God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
WHEN
WE PRAY, OUR TOTAL MIND, BODY & SPIRIT BECOMES INVOLVED
Our
spirit cries out in response to our needs and those of others, as God
plays on our heart strings, encouraging us to share those burdens with
Him.
Our
minds stagger under the weight of sin, fear, worry and care and our
spirits soar both to heights unknown as well as plumb to incomprehensible
depths.
We
groan in the spirit of intercession or exult in the joy of God, knowing
that He is taking control of the situation! And that by our compassion,
care and faith people in need are being convicted, strengthened, healed
and blessed.
As
we weep in travail our eyes redden, our physical strength is taxed and
our body becomes weary! Then the Holy Spirit takes over and intercedes
through us with groanings that cannot be uttered, and we enter into a new
realm as we pray in the Spirit (unknown tongues), as St. Paul did. (1
Corinthians 14:15)
The
Divine Paraclete (the Comforter - the One sent alongside to help) helps
us as we do not know how we ought to pray. But He comes to our rescue and
prays through us to the Father.
The
entire Trinity is involved in our fellowship, as we pray to God our
Father in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER
LINKS US TO ALMIGHTY GOD
Prayer
is mankind's most vital link with Almighty LORD God. It is, in fact,
entering into His very presence with our requests, petitions and
thanksgiving.
The
scripture says, He is closer than our hands or feet. It is therefore, not
difficult to draw upon His power by reaching out in prayer and touching
Him.
WHEN
WE PRAY, GOD NOT ONLY LISTENS TO US, BUT GOD SPEAKS TO OUR SPIRITS
When
we pray, God not only listens but speaks to our spirits and answers our
requests in His own way, according to His divine and gracious will.
The
woman with the "issue of blood" touched Him with her faith and
received an instant miracle. Jesus turned about in the crowd and asked
specifically, "Who touched My clothes"?
Many
rubbed shoulders with Him, but one person touched Him by faith. She had
said within herself, "If I but touch His garment, I shall be
whole." She was made whole, and Jesus declared that her faith had
gotten the job done! (Matthew 9:21)
God's
Word says: "And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I
will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah
65:24).
'Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with God as we enter into the very
presence of the Almighty!'
The
20th Century Bible renders the account this way: Jesus said,
"Someone has touched Me". And they said, "Master, the
multitudes press Thee and crush Thee". But He answered, "No,
someone has made a demand upon My ability".
When
we believe and reach out for a miracle, we make a demand upon His ability
and draw from His great storehouse of blessing, that which we desire!
Another
beautiful aspect, is that the woman received the miracle without Jesus
knowing she had a need. The miracle was already accomplished before Jesus
was aware of it.
PRAYER
CAN COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND OTHER'S LIVES
The
Psalmist prayed: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
Thou hast heard the desire of the humble." (Psalms 19:14; Psalms
10:17)'
PRAYER
NOT ONLY CHANGES THINGS; IT CHANGES LIVES
The
easiest way for me to illustrate God's provision for us, is to compare it
to a buffet banquet. Many tables, loaded with the best foods sits in the
middle of the room and guests help themselves at will. The host simply
walks among his friends to see if everyone is getting enough to eat,
while the servers keep loading the tables with fresh supplies.
The
host is not really concerned whether you make one or three trips to the
tables, so long as you get enough to eat. He doesn't watch to see if you
take one leg of chicken or two.
AS
BELIEVERS, WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US: FORGIVENESS, HEALING, BLESSING
& PROSPERITY
Forgiveness,
healing, blessing and prosperity are all provided for us. We can have all
we need! All we have to do, is reach out by faith and make a demand on
His ability, by receiving. Automatically,
when we tap into His resources by faith in His finished work on Golgotha,
the miracle happens.
PRAYER
CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER
Prayer
changes things! Many situations have been altered, lives changed and
priorities rearranged by spending time in prayer.
Why
is this? God answers prayer! God performs miracles! He is real, and
communion with Him is a glorious reality! God does answer prayer.
Through
prayer and communion with God we can affect the course of this world and
change the complexion of society.
Not
only does prayer change things but it changes people - the lives of
the ones prayed for as well as the persons praying. Thousands of answers
to prayer are recorded regularly in the books of heaven, as well as in
the remembrances of committed Christians.
Miracles
of salvation, healing, preservation, deliverance and prosperity are
common occurrences for those who really believe God's Word and
appropriate His promises for themselves.
PRAYER
CAN CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND GIVE YOU A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE
A
person gets a totally new outlook on life when he spends time in God's
presence. His priorities change as well as his desires and goals in life.
And his disposition becomes kinder and more caring.
The
hymn writer penned these words which have blessed millions down through
the years.
"Sweet
hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And sets me at my Father’s throne,
Makes all my wants and wishes known.
In
seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer."
THE
TWIN PILLARS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARE REPENTANCE & FAITH
St.
Paul makes it very clear as to what the twin pillars of the Christian
Church are. The twin pillars of the Christian Church are REPENTANCE
and FAITH. St. Paul makes that very plain: "Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21)
Writing
to new converts he said: "For by grace (God's unmerited favor) are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God. Not of works, lest any man should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9)
YOU
MUST HAVE FAITH TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AND TO RECEIVE HIM
To
believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him into your life is to have faith!
Faith is a fact but faith is also an act, because faith requires
corresponding action.
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." (John 3:16)
When
you have faith in God, you will believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
dedicate your life in His service! Real faith transforms a person's
lifestyle, because faith in God works miracles in people.
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
HOW
DO WE RECEIVE FAITH?
According
to the Holy Scriptures, God has given each one of us faith to believe in
Jesus Christ, His Son and be saved: "...think soberly, according as
God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
He
has placed His Word within our conscience and our spirit which came from
God! (Romans 7:22-25)
THE
BIBLE WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD CREATES FAITH
The
Word of God also creates faith! "So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) God has called
us to a life of faith and worship, through Jesus Christ His Son.
The
Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please
Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:1,6)
WHAT
IS FAITH ? FAITH IS 3 VITAL THINGS:
1)
Coming to God with our needs.
2) Believing that God exists and that He is Who the Bible says He is.
3) Expecting a miracle (an answer) when you pray
Faith
is also a gift as well as a fruit of the Holy Spirit! "To another
faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same
Spirit;" (1 Corinthians 12:9)
THE
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS,
GOODNESS & FAITH
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith," (Galatians 5:22)
 GOD
CALLS US TO SEPARATION
What
does it mean when you say, "God calls us to separation"?
When
we accept Jesus Christ as our LORD, to serve and live for Him, the LORD
God sets us apart from non-believers through the divine process of
redemption and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
But
God requires that we must separate ourselves totally and completely unto
Him, in order that His miraculous provisions will work within us.
Jesus
calls us to righteous, holy and pure living! The Bible says, "But as
He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conduct." (1 Peter 1:15)
WHAT
IS SANCTIFICATION?
Sanctification
is the process by which believers are set apart for God and His service,
to be made holy and purified from sin by His gifts and graces and our
determined will to do that which is right.
We
cannot do this in our own power. The Scripture says, "But of Him are
ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness
and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
St.
Paul admonished, "For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one
of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and
honor."
"For
God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (1
Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 7)
GOD
DESIRES HIS PEOPLE TO LEAD PURE, WHOLESOME LIVES - COMPLETELY
SEPARATE FROM EVIL
The
Bible clearly states that God desire His people to lead pure, wholesome
lives - not like the pagan. We must be separated from evil
completely. We must be separated from the evil practices of lying,
witchcraft, hatred, gambling, idolatry, sodomy and adultery. The
Bible which is the Word of God teaches purity of though, word and deed.
WHEREFORE
COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD
St.
Paul declared, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you." (2 Corinthians 6:17)
GOD
PROMISES TO BE OUR FATHER, IF WE BELIEVE HIS WORD AND LIVE BY IT
In
His dealings with Israel ~ the Children of Israel, He demanded that they
separate themselves from idols and the pagan practices of the heathen!
"But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship
with devils." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
As
Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ and must not try to drag Him
down to the filth in which the ungodly live, but allow Him to lift us to
the place of purity and wholeness which He exemplifies.
JESUS
CHRIST SAVES US FROM SINS - NOT TO LIVE IN OUR SINS
The
Bible says, "If a man therefore purge himself from these (carnal,
sinful & dishonorable pursuits) he shall be a vessel unto honor,
sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good
work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
(2 Timothy 2:21-22)
Again
God's Word states, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1)
THE
CALL TO DEDICATION
The
word dedicate means to "set apart and consecrate to a divine being.
To give wholly or earnestly to a patron, friend or purpose."
It is in this
sense I now use this word. We should be willing to give ourselves wholly
and earnestly unto the cause of righteousness, loving God and our
fellowman!
THE
BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IF WE DO CERTAIN THINGS, GOD WILL BLESS AND
PROSPER US
The
Bible does not compromise. It is clear in its teachings that if we do
certain things, God will bless and prosper us! And if we do not, there
will be no blessing.
Here
is His clarion call to dedication:
"And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
This
stern admonition was sent to former pagans, who had converted to Christ.
St. Paul demanded that they break from evil, lustful and perverted deeds
and live in purity as Christians!
There
is no such thing as a Christian thief, a Christian liar, a Christian
drunkard, a Christian drug addict, a Christian homosexual or a Christian
fornicator.
When
Christ comes into our hearts, the Holy Spirit does a work in us whereby
we are liberated from the lusts and perversions of this wicked old world.
He
admonishes Timothy and all of us: "but thou, O man of God, flee
these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses."
"I
give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things, and
before Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good
confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (1 Timothy 6:11-14)
It
is certainly a slap in our face, when Muslims and other non-Christians
reject Christianity because of the lewd way in which our so-called
Christian society conducts itself.
I
hasten to say that the rock and roll music, loose living, pornography,
abortion, alcoholism and perversion, which is so prevalent in our
society, is in no way Christian! On the contrary, it is anathema!
It
is sad to hear Muslim leaders saying that they do not want their people
contaminated with "the abominable practices of sodomy, pornography,
drug abuse, obscene rock & roll music and alcoholism, which are rife
in Western Christian culture!"
GOD
CALLS US TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL
The
Bible says, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and
pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul: Having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may see your good works, which they shall
behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11-12)
We
are instructed, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1
Thessalonians 5:22)
MAY
JESUS CHRIST ALWAYS BE OUR EXAMPLE, HE WAS PERFECT IN ALL RESPECTS
May
Jesus Christ always be our example. He was perfect in all respects -
SINLESS in deity and humanity - yet was obedient to the cross, suffering
for our sin and shame, so that He could save us and bring us to God!
The
Bible says, "Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our
faith; Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus,
"...being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in
fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross". (Philippians 2:6-8)
St.
Paul was totally dedicated: "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to
the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me
is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek." (Romans 1:14-16)
THE
CALL TO CONSECRATION
Consecration
is the act of obedience, when we privately and publicly make a statement
that we have given ourselves in dedication for God's service!
In
like manner, as we consecrate a church building or musical instruments to
Go''s service, so we consecrate our bodies, talents and riches unto the
cause of Christ and His Church!
CHRIST
IS CALLING US TO CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND EVANGELISM
Christ
is calling us to give ourselves wholeheartedly to His cause. To
CONSECRATE OURSELVES unto a life of righteous living and evangelism!
He is looking
for those who will be totally committed to His gospel, so that His light
may shine in this ungodly world.
The
Bible says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)
What
does that mean to the liar, thief, adulterer, homosexual or gambler? Pure
and simple - STOP DOING THOSE THINGS AND BEGIN LIVING PURE LIVES
Jesus
said, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take
up the cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the
same shall save it." (Mark 8:35-36)
OUR
LORD REQUIRES A FULL COMMITMENT FROM US
Our
Lord requires a full commitment and consecration from us, for Him to
trust us with His authority, gifts and power! He does not want to be the
"fifth wheel" of our existence or a "fire-insurance
policy" kept in a safety deposit box.
GOD
MUST COME FIRST IN OUR LIVES
He
must take center stage in our lives so that our lifestyle will be
pleasing in His sight, and effective in our relationship to others!
Jesus,
Who is our grand example, "set His face" to go to Jerusalem
where He knew He would die upon a rugged cross and become "a curse
for us", in order to purchase our salvation! (Galatians 3:13)
St.
Paul said, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am
ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of
the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)
Again
he stated, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my
departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:6,7)
The
great apostle was totally dedicated to Jesus Christ. His life was
consecrated to His Gospel!
Martin
Luther emphasized: "I live as though Jesus Christ was crucified
yesterday, arose today & is coming again tomorrow."
The
great leader of the Protestant Reformation was consumed with the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and that is why God used him so mightily to bring back
the simplicity, truth, purity & power of Christ's Gospel to a
corrupt, idolatrous and backslidden Church!
This
is the commendation given by the leaders of the Primitive Church
regarding the preachers they sent out: "These are men that have
hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Acts 15:26)
WE
CAN CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO GO BY LIVING A 'DISCIPLINE CHRISTIAN
LIFE'
A
proper way to consecrate ourselves to God is through a 'Disciplined
Christian Life'! Fasting & prayer is a good way to humble ourselves
before God and to become consecrated wholly to God and His Kingdom!
GOD
CALLS US TO SERVICE
Jesus
declared, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15)
The
paramount duty of the Christian is to communicate the gospel to our
fellowmen by our chaste lifestyles, honesty, compassion and wholesome
outlook. We
are "saved to serve"!
JESUS
SAID, "THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART"
Jesus
said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the
prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
The
only road to true happiness is going God's way, walking the Gospel road,
by loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves!
Let
us always follow the Golden Rule:
"Do
unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Luke 6:31)
TRUE
BELIEVERS OF CHRIST ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL
& PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OTHER
Born
again Christians automatically seek the "high road of life"
after an encounter with 'Jesus Christ'. We are concerned about the needs
of others, spiritual, emotional and physical, because our lives have been
changed: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Angelic
beings brought the message of Christ's victory to the disciples, at the
empty tomb on that first resurrection morning. They said, "Come and
see the place where our Lord lay, and go and tell His disciples..."
(Matthew 28:6, 7)
It
is incumbent upon all Christians to experience God's blessings through
Christ, and then to "go and tell" others the good news that
there is hope for our nation and our world!
AND
THAT HOPE LIES ONLY IN THE PROCLAMATION AND RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST!
The
Bible says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all
the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." (Matthew 24:14)
WE
ARE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Christ
has no hands but our hands, to do His work of preaching and spreading His
Gospel to the ends of the earth. Let us be about our Father's business!
Christ
is calling us all to communicate, share, spread, dispense, articulate and
live His Gospel before this wicked world, so that many more will be saved
before it is too late.
This
also includes paying our tithes and giving offerings to God's work. Let
us remember the words of our Lord Jesus: "It is more blessed to give
than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
GOD'S
WORD SAYS, "GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU"
He
also stated: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into
your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)
Sir
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we
make a life by what we give". My question to us all is: Are we doing
our share to spread the Gospel through our giving?
Or
are we guilty of spending too much time & money pampering ourselves
when multitudes are going to a 'Christless Eternity' because NO ONE HAS
SHARED THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THEM?
William
Penn stated: "If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing
I can do to my fellow human being, let me do it now, and not deter nor
neglect it. I shall not pass this way again."
Francis
of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel everyday and if you must - use
words...It is in giving oneself, one receives; it is in forgetting
oneself, that one is found; it is in pardoning, that one obtains
pardon". He taught his students that there is no point in,
"walking somewhere to preach, unless you can preach while you are
walking"!
SEEK
YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus
said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
The
Bible instructs: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every d man that asketh you a reason of
the hope that is in you with meekness an fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)
"Charge
them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust
in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for
themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay
hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
God
loves you, my friend. He has purchased your total salvation through the
death of His Son Jesus Christ Who paid for our sins with His pure and
perfect blood!
The
Bible declares that He not only died for our sins on the cross, but arose
from the dead for our justification! (Romans 4:25)
Here
is our Lord’s invitation to you: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew
11:28)
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