Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18
One of the key reasons for prayerlessness in the Christian life is a theological one. Deep inside, many Christians believe that prayer really doesn’t matter; God is going to do whatever He is going to do, and prayer isn’t really going to change anything. If that is so, then why pray? Why spend time doing that which is ineffective for change? S. D. Gordon provides us with an answer:
“The purpose of prayer is not to persuade or influence God, but to join forces with Him against the enemy.” 1
The Bible teaches that prayer not only changes the person who prays, it also changes situations. Scripture is filled with examples of people whose situations changed as a result of their prayer, whether on a personal scale, such as a Hannah praying for a son (1 Samuel 1:9-18), or on a national scale, such as King Jehoshaphat praying for deliverance for Judah (1 Chronicles 20:1-8).
Prayer is communion with God Almighty as our Father. That is where true power lies, in that relationship.
STANDING IN THE GAP
One of the best teachings on the power of prayer comes from Ezekiel 22:30:
“I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”
This verse shows us the all-powerful Creator of the universe looking for someone to pray before He begins to act. The people of God had sinned and rebelled against Him and faced the punishment for their disobedience; in this case, the punishment was the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. But our merciful God was willing to delay or even avert this catastrophe if someone would intercede before Him on Jerusalem’s behalf, if someone would “stand in the gap.” God looked for such a person, but could find no one. Prayer could have made a difference then, and it still can today. God is waiting for us, His people, to stand before Him on behalf of our nation and land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
The story of Moses praying on the hill while the Israelites fought the Amalekites (Exodus 17:10-13) if you remember from the passage also demonstrates how prayer changes things:
“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11).
Why would the position of an old man’s hands have anything to do with the battle in the valley below? Consider this, lifted hands have always been a symbol of prayer. As long as God was involved through prayer, Israel won. In Exodus 17:16, after the battle, Moses built an altar to the Lord and said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation” (NIV). Moses’ lifting his hands wasn’t just idle spiritual calisthenics; it was an expression of the power of prayer to change situations.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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