The BLB Blog

The official blog of Blue Letter Bible

The Greatness of God and the Power of Prayer

Posted on Posted by

The following is adapted from the Blue Letter Bible Institute (BLBi) class The Attributes of God by David Hocking. The Attributes of God is one of fourteen free classes available at the BLBi.

God is able to answer prayer.

Think about the rich truths packed in that statement.

Who is God? He is the great Almighty Lord of all.

What is prayer? The privilege of speaking to this God as a son speaks to a loving Father.

God can answer prayer. This truth can bring so much joy to the believer. It encourages us to pray all the more. One of the first applications in the heart of the believer is that praying to the Lord is not a waste of time. Praying to Him is not meaningless. Praying to Him may be the most important thing I can do in life. God really does have power and greatness, as opposed to anything I might try; therefore, praying to Him is what I need to do more than anything else.

All of a sudden, when you understand who God is, guess what? Prayer moves up the list and becomes a priority in the believer’s life. Prayer is always down on the list when the preaching, teaching ministry of the church is focusing on the needs of people—believe it or not. Often that is where prayer requests come from, the needs of people. But what in fact happens is that because of the concentration on man and not God, the motivation to prayer becomes a weak matter. It is a difficult thing. Repetition becomes a problem of just going through the motions and saying the same kinds of words you have always said. We even teach children how to pray and new converts how to pray, and so there is a routine. Christians get used to it. We offer quickies when we have food, before we go to bed at night or when we get up. It becomes a routine or a pattern, and in some terrible sense it becomes empty because we forget who God is. It is the greatness of God and His power that says to me that prayer is most important.

In John 14:13–14 Jesus said,

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

In John 15:16. Jesus said,

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

And in verses 23–27 He says,

And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. (NKJV)

What He is telling us is, “Ask. I can do it. I can answer prayer.” Talk about the power of God! He is incomparable. Who else can do this for you?

Pray today in Jesus’ name.

Comments

  3. What he is saying is that all is possible in Christ.
    Be the person of Christ that you were born to be.
    The bottle does not make The wine fine,

  4. Chris,
    thank you for your blog today.
    I was thinking about prayer just yesterday.
    Whenever I pray, the Lord answers. It may not be the way I want the request answered, but usually, I just pray as the Lord leads me to pray and then my prayer IS ANSWERED.
    I was thinking that the only reason I can pray that way is because the Lord directs my heart how to pray. Not only is the Lord the one who initiated my interest in Him so many years ago, He is also the one who initiates my desire to pray today. It is a two-way thing, and I really love it, and I always end up just praising Him for these things about Him.
    So, thank you for those verses, too.
    Debi C.

  5. This forum presents the names of God that reveal some of His attributes. God is incomprehensible except as how He chooses to reveal Himself. Godly are mercy, forgiveness, grace, patience, faithfulness, lovingkindness for His glory and our praise, our worship. There is a statement that pertains, “Worry is praying for what you don’t want”. God is creation, bursting potential beyond imagination, capability. Our thoughts are our prayers to God with Whom nothing is unknown. Consider what you constantly present to God. You are your thoughts, not your genetics.

    Jhn 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
    Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

    Eze 33:12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.
    Eze 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
    Eze 33:14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
    Eze 33:15 [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
    Eze 33:16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
    Eze 33:17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.
    Eze 33:18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
    Eze 33:19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
    Eze 33:20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
    Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

    Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
    Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.
    Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit.
    Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
    Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
    Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
    Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
    Mat 5, Mat 25,

    Mat 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
    Mat 20:14 Take [that] thine [is], and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
    Mat 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
    Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

    Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
    Hbr 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  6. You speak of the privilege of talking to God as son to father. And it is…yet it is also desired and expected. Speaking as a father, I would think it strange if my son or daughter walked into the room without acknowledging me. They don’t have to sit down and give me a big oratory run down…..but at least look my way and say hi. But the most fun is to just have a chat. It shows me they like me and have an interest in my thoughts.

    This my friend is prayer too me. It is conversation. It is relationship. It is getting to know my Daddy God. I don’t have to be always in an asking cycle…sometimes I just look to the Northern sky and say ….Hi.

  7. I’ve been interested in reading the BBL blogs, but have no time. I’m kind of stuck in my prayer life. I read this piece on prayer, and it’s encouraging. Thank you.

  8. Rev 1:17 and this reaction is from someone who literally laid his head on Yeshuas chest. Can’t get any closer to Jesus than that. When I read this I was a bit appalled at the juxtaposed position of the one doing the praying and the one to whom the praying was directed to. Not only did it seem a bit too familiar, but almost to a level of blurring who was serving who. i.e., “praying to the Lord is not a waste of time.”, really now, we should be thankful we have time to use, period. We should (and will) take the position John did and be only thankful for HIM and only follow wherever HE goes. Anything beyond this is religion and just read the Good News to see what Yeshua thought of religion.
    J.

  9. 2 Corinthians 12:9
    And He said unto me
    MY grace is sufficient for thee
    FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS
    Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities
    that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me

    Hebrews 1:3
    Who being the brightness of HIS glory and the express image of HIS person and upholding all things by –THE WORD OF HIS POWER–
    when HE had by HIMSELF purged our sins sat down on the right
    hand of the MAJESTY on high

    Proverbs 24:4&5
    And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches
    (5)A wise man is strong yea a man of knowledge
    increaseth strength

    Proverbs24:6
    For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war
    And in multitude of counsellors there is safety

    Psalm 119:24
    THY testimonies also are my delight
    AND MY COUNSELLORS

    Proverbs 8:14
    Counsel is mine and sound wisdom
    I am understanding —I HAVE STRENGTH—

    Psalm 27:1
    The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear
    THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE
    Of whom shall I be afraid

    Philippians 4:13
    I can do all things through CHRIST which strengtheneth me

    1 John 5:14&15
    And this is the confidence that we have in HIM that
    —IF—we ask any thing —ACCORDING TO HIS WILL—
    HE heareth us
    (15) And if we know he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that
    we have the petitions that we desired of HIM

    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of patience that after you have
    —DONE THE WILL OF GOD—you might receive the promise

    LOVING THE LORD JESUS

  11. God is ultimate potential. God purposes righteousness, actually it is creation. Will you believe Him? Do you think on His righteouness? You will obtain what you think.

    Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
    Exd 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
    Deu 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
    Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
    Pro 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
    Jhn 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
    Jhn 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
    Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
    Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  12. Chris at BLB~

    Maybe it’s just me, but having the September 19 post on “Eternal Security” split between two pages is very confusing. It’s hard knowing where to post, and there is no clear order of comments that we can find by simply scrolling up or down. Is there anyway that these can be combined?

    Thanks and God bless!
    Barbara

  13. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be careful for nothing, but everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. This tells me that I can do nothing without God, and my communication with him through the Holy Ghost that dwells in me guarantees that God hears me and answers my prayer request. It’s as though the God in me speaks to God my creator and cannot deny himself. Amen!

  14. This has been a main stay of my own ministry. “The Greatness of God” Show people the greatness of God. Put their focus on God rather than themselves. “He must increase, I must decrease” are the Words of John the Baptist. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing”. Jesus, what a wonder you are! Praise Him!!!

    PD

  15. I wake up everyday with every intention to pray, I even have my alarm set to 5:00AM. But for some reason my mind goes blank, I get distracted, I forget what I’m doing. When I am asked to pray with and for others everything escapes me, and I feel like a fool with no words, fumbling to find something to say. I don’t understand…..

    • RoxAnne, that sounds frustrating. I have felt that way before. I want to offer you words of comfort, but I don’t want to sound like I am patronizing you or saying, “There, there….”

      From your post, I don’t know if you are looking for comfort, looking for direction from a fellow Believer, or just saying what is on your heart.

      May I share with you from my own experience? I read that Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, and He told them. Then, I prayed that way. Then, from other Believers’ explanations, and asking the Lord for His help in this, I began to use the Bible to get the very words for my prayers. Using scripture was a good place for me to start. I still do this when I need motivation to get started. I like the Psalms because I can find songs of Praise, and words that remind me of the Power of God.

      And when I pray, I have a notepad next to me. Sometimes I am distracted and write my grocery list, but then i get back to praying.

      I can’t pray at 5AM. I wake up that early, but my brain is not awake that early.

      I will pray specifically for you. Then, you will need to buy those kinds of knee pads that carpet layers wear because you will be praying so much. LOL! 🙂 And you know what? If you don’t feel good about praying out loud in front of people, you don’t have to.

      Have a blessed Sunday afternoon.
      In all kindness,
      Debi C.

    • Hi, RoxAnne,
      In regards to your difficulties with praying, may I add a thought or two? Firstly, I agree with Debi, not all of us are cut out to put our brains to work at pre-dawn hours! I’ve learned that about myself…I need to ease into my day, letting my mind wake up before I begin to engage in conversation with the Lord beyond that little prayer of committing the day to Him as I rise. I’m retired now, but when I was working, I had a 30-minute drive to the office. That 30 minutes became my prayer time. Weekends, of course, were at home, after breakfast and Scripture reading, when I was fully awake. Ask the Lord to show you the best time and place for your prayer time.

      Secondly, I think most Christians would say that praying aloud with others made them nervous at first – it did me. I still have to remind myself that I’m not speaking to impress those around me with my words or spirituality as I pray, but I’m bringing my (or others’) requests to God the Father. That reminder helps me to focus on Him, and forget about what others may think of what I say in prayer.

      I also would recommend, that when you’re asked to pray, take a moment to ask God for wisdom, and for the right words to express the need as He sees it. He has been faithful to answer that prayer for me, and then my more public prayer is focused and fruitful.

      If you’re not comfortable praying aloud with others, you could also tell the person who’s requesting prayer that you will be happy to pray for them in your prayer closet (private prayer time). Then do so, and follow up with them to see how God answers.

      Note, too, that Satan relishes using any tactic that will discourage us from praying. He knows the power of prayer! Don’t let him keep you from this wonderful privilege of being a part of what God is doing!

      I will pray for you, that you’ll be encouraged by the growth and maturity in your prayer life!

  16. Dear Roxanne,
    How are you? I experienced the same thing. That is what this blog is all about: Where on you LIST (=priorities in life) is prayer. You want, but somehow it feels far off. Please let me give 2 concrete steps to take:
    1. James1:22 – Be a doer of the Word! Just do it, don’t think or lean on your own understanding, My husband used to tell me “You don’t listen” – Now, after I listened and did what I am expected to do (It may seem to be hard, but JUST do it, and once you did it it will feel so easy to do it again, you will have received His POWER – 1Cor2:5). THEN, It IS when you stand in awe of Him that you will love to start to pray and know what to pray. – Like somebody who just did something kind for you and then you just feel you can fly (though on a small scale then).
    2.There are many books on the market with just prayers and prayer oints in them. Buy it – Pray them – If you don’t like them buy another one and pray them.
    Jesus LOVES you,
    Maya

  17. Two things you can be sure come of prayer.
    One: That God receive his ultimate desire, and that is to have fellowship with us. Prayer is really in essance just spending time with him as at the dinner table or a walk in the garden in the cool of the day.
    Two: Prayer is a form of diligently seeking. He will reveal himself thus giving us a greater knowledge of him, he will show himself in a way that creates as greater, more deeper faith in Him.
    Both of these things are the mark of God’s intention for us from the very beginning until now and throughout eternity.
    Teacher, Apostle, Prophet, Pastors and evangilist. Teach and edify the people until they all attain to the unity of faith and to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ.

    Seeking, Finding, Knowing, Believing

    Jeff

  19. 2 Chronicles 7:14
    —IF—MY people which are called by MY name shall humble themselves and pray and seek MY face —AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS—-THEN—-will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land

    Hosea 5:14&15
    For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion as a young lion to the house of Judah I even I will tear and go away I will take away and none shall rescue him
    (15)I will go and return to MY place till they acknowledge their
    offence AND SEEK MY FACE in their affliction they will seek ME early

    Psalm 66:18
    —IF—I regard iniquity in my heart THE LORD will not hear me

    James 4:3&4
    You ask and receive not because you ask amisss that you may
    consume it upon your lusts
    (4) You adulterers and adulteresses know you not that friendship of the world is enmity with GOD
    Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD

    Psalm 119:139
    My zeal hath consumed me because mine enemies
    have forgotten THY words

    Psalm 119:140
    THY word is very pure therefore THY servant loveth it

    Psalm 54:5
    HE shall reward evil unto my enemies
    Cut them off in THY truth

    Psalm 74:4
    Thine enemies roar in the midst of THY congregations
    They set up their ensigns for signs

    Psalm 37:20
    But the wicked shall perish
    and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs they shall consume into smoke shall they consume away

    Psalm 66:3
    Say unto GOD how terrible thou art in thy works
    through the greatness of THY power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto THEE

    HELP US LORD JESUS IN OUR BATTLES ACCORDING UNTO THY WORD

  21. Prayer is the hardest work. It is the best work. In fact, it is through prayer that he unvails the beauty of His character in and though us. It is in this difficult, yet priceless communion with Almighty God, that our hearts are transformed, our will diminished, and eternity enriched.

    Blessings! Now I am going to my old knees to pray.