Praying for Healing

A Thought From the Intentional Living Center

Powerful, Purposeful Prayer

Dr. Randy Carlson When you determine to make prayer a daily, dynamic part of your life, your heart will change, and others will be impacted by your actions. Prayer in Scripture The prophet Elijah was identified in Scripture as a man of God, chiefly because he was first and foremost a man of prayer. When the apostle James chose to write about prayer, he used Elijah as an illustration of powerful, effective prayer. In response to Elijah’s intercessions during a time of severe drought, “the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:18 NIV) How many lives were literally saved through God’s answer to Elijah’s fervent prayers? Elijah’s prayers had purpose because

• He was in regular communication with God.
• He prayed for God’s will to be accomplished, not his own.
• He was persistent, never giving up.

Such prayer, backed by the very power of God, is not beyond you. But it does start with you making a choice to prioritize prayer, and then following through with that commitment. Don’t relegate prayer to a last resort, attempted only when nothing else works. Don’t let prayer be a crutch used only to help you feel better. Instead, make prayer the foundation of your relationship with God, and the means through which His mighty power and purpose is unleashed.

Today’s Resource

101 “One Things” You Can Do to Build Your Faith (Book)

It’s the little things that often make a huge difference. This book is filled with great ideas of things you can do today to help build up your faith. Get one today, and maybe order one for a friend!]]>