PRAYER - THE VITAL BREATH OF LIFE

Prayer transforms us to be like Jesus

Practicing the presence of God transforms us into His likeness. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom.8:29). It’s the Father’s desire that we should be like Jesus. The sole purpose for which God created man in His own image was that man would be like Him and walk in His footsteps of holiness. But when man's intimacy with God was disrupted, man's image was distorted. Man lost the perfect image of God when he sinned.

If man has lost that beautiful perfect image of God, will man ever regain it? Is it possible to be like God again? Is it possible for sinful man to be intimate with a holy God? Are these heart-rending questions echoing in the emptiness of your soul? The Good News is that the Bible says it is possible to be like God again. When our relationship with God is restored, and we get closer to Him, we get back to that blessed state. Our relationship with God is restored through the blood of Jesus. When we are restored through the blood of Jesus to God, we become part-takers of the divine nature. This divine nature shines forth when we dwell in His presence. Constant communion with God brings forth His divine nature. His word and His saints attest to this fact.

The old adage, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are” fits well in this context. We unknowingly imbibe the nature of our close friends. One who is intimate with the Holy God becomes holy. One who closets himself with the God of peace becomes a messenger of peace. One who moves with the humble and gentle God becomes humble and gentle. The more we are with Him, the more we become like Him. “He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1.Co.6:17). The string that knits flowers together will also smell like flowers. Likewise, those who linger in His presence carry His fragrance.

Efforts made on your own strength cannot transform you. The work of your flesh is futile. Instead of running from pillar to post hoping for a transformation in your life and circumstances, dwell in His presence and let His image be formed in you. Just as coal shines like gold in fire, a person who lingers in the presence of God will shine forth. Take a look at the life of Moses who spent days on end alone with God. He was a good friend of God. He climbed mountain after mountain, seeking seclusion with God. In course of time, he started reflecting God’s image and glory. He displayed divine meekness in a unique way. He radiated God’s glory. When he spent forty days with God in fasting and prayer and came down, the people could not even look at His face. The radiance that filled his heart glowed on his face. The Bible says, “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him”. If you want your soul and face to be radiant, commune with Him. Speak to Him, and let Him speak to you. If you spend more time with Him in your prayer closet, you will reflect His glory more in this world.

These are the end times. We are living in perilous days. “Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness, the people”. Evil is rampant. Only those who have fellowship with God will rise and shine. People in darkness will come to their light. Are you unable to overcome youthful temptations? Do not blame your circumstances. Darkness will not be removed. Your light will have to lighten the dark places. Those who look to God are radiant. Your radiance will be proportionate to your time with God. People of prayer only can escape the coming immoralities. The outward man can be subdued only when the inner man is strengthened. When I was in college, darkness surrounded me. But immorality among the students could not take hold of me. We spent hours in prayer and darkness could not overcome us. Students would come running to us for prayer.

Further a person of prayer will not be caught up in the web of backsliding. No power of darkness can separate a person who is entwined in the love of God. Prayer warriors can boldly challenge, “Who can separate us from the love of God?” Stephen’s murderers saw the glory glow on Stephen's face when they stoned him. He knelt down and prayed. The shadow of death could not dim the brightness of his face. A person of prayer is aware of his human limitations! He bows in the Presence of God and says, “Lord without you I can do nothing! But in You I can do all things.” He is a branch entwined with His Master the Vine. He is the one who sits in the presence of God and receives the essence for life! He will always flourish and not dry up. You want to know what God would look at such a person of prayer and say? “I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it” (Is.27:3). Wow! What a glorious state for a life of prayer! For whom is this moment by moment watering and for whom are these green pastures? For the one who abides in Him and communes with Him. It is for the one who takes time in His presence. To be like Him, you must be with Him!

Prayer equips us for God’s ministry

Only a person who moves with God can move out for God. God’s faithful friends become His faithful ministers. Today’s prayer warriors are tomorrow's proclaiming warriors. Present and future ministers of God should never forget this truth. Do you want to rise and shine for Christ? Do you crave to accomplish great things for God? This yearning is good. You are the Pauls who should build churches; you are the Peters who should bring thousands into God’s kingdom. You are the Finneys who should bring forth revival; you are the David Livingstones who should dispel darkness. You are the Smith Wigglesworth who should reveal the power of God to the people. You are the Elijahs who will smash idols. Do you crave it but lack the power? Do you have the desire but lack the boldness? Do you aspire but not achieve? I’ve got good news for you. God Himself puts these desires in you. He will enable you to perform. He wants to use you. He has been waiting for a long time to use you, but He can only use those who stay close to His bosom and share His heart cry! Don’t depend on your talents or abilities.


God cannot use a man who has no time for Him. People of prayer alone can do great exploits for Him. What did the apostles do before they decided on full time ministry? As Jesus instructed them, they were praying to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into the field. The Lord of the harvest sent these same men as labourers. What did Paul do after his conversion? He prayed. God’s sign to Ananias regarding Saul was, “Behold he prays..” The power of his ministry was drawn from his prayers. After ten days of prayer in the Upper Room, the apostles launched out into worldwide ministry. The Lord Jesus spent 40 days of fasting and prayer before He began His ministry.

Only prayer warriors can rise up into mighty warriors for God. Probe into the lives of the giants of revival and you will find that all of them were prayer warriors. Ministries that are born of prayer, sustained in prayer and end in prayer alone can face eternity boldly. Prayer less mi n i s t r y ma y a p p e a r successful in the beginning but in the end it will be pathetic.

Prayer works wonders

Prayer moves the arm that moves the world. When a person abides in Him, he or she will receive anything from God. God can’t help but fulfil the desires of His loved ones! When they call Him, He will lovingly say,” Yes. Here I am”. Your prayer can move the hand that moves the world. A Christian life is a supernatural life and prayer is the pulse of this supernatural life. The Word of God is a gold mine of prayerful feats! It is a treasury of miracles. God has done thousands of miracles in response to the cry of His people. Are you wondering, “Where are the miracles of the Bible?” Are you longing to see the power of God? Bend your knees. Lift up your eyes to the Lord of Lords! We go out of our way to fulfil the desires of a close friend. Don’t we?! Similarly God is eager to fulfil the desires of those who seek Him in prayer.

Abraham prayed and held back his nephew from sure destruction. Yes! Salvation will come to the unsaved in your family through your prayers!

Moses prayed and received the Ten Commandments written by the hand of the Almighty God. Prayer brings down God’s presence and God's leading in our lives.

Joshua prayed and the sun stopped in its tracks. Prayer has the power to rule over nature and make things work in our favour.

Hezekiah prayed and 1,85,000 Assyrians were defeated. Yes! Prayer has the power to destroy your enemies.

Ezra prayed and people who were stained by sin received new life. Yes! Prayer makes holy the people of God.

Elijah prayed and the rain stopped. He prayed again and it rained! The prosperity of the nations are directed by the prayers of God’s people.

Elisha prayed and the dead body came to life. Prayer has the power to resurrect the dead!

David prayed and he worshipped God in song and left a legacy of praise and worship for generations to come. Prayer makes our talents a blessing to others.

Samson prayed and had the courage to rip open a lion’s mouth. Prayer is a weapon that makes a person brave and courageous.

Nehemiah prayed and the broken walls of Jerusalem were built. Prayer warriors only can build the church.

Prophets prayed and people received guidance for their future and warnings from their past.

Prayer has the power to understand the mysteries of God! The disciples prayed and received the fullness of the Spirit of God. Prayer fills us with the Holy Spirit and gifts. Peter prayed and the healing virtue of God was seen in his shadow. The power of God will overflow in the presence of a praying person. (I have written a book about the power of God in our lives entitled Dunamis. Order your copy today!) Paul and Silas prayed and the prison doors flung open. Yes! Prayer has the power to tear down every barrier in your life! Oh! I could go on forever! People prayed and obtained the strength to be martyrs. They prayed and birthed revivals. They even shook kingdoms through prayer. Wow! The power of prayer.

Christ accomplished everything through prayer. He prayed and the heavens opened. He prayed and the heavenly dove came! He prayed and He heard the Father’s voice. He prayed and He overcame the devil. He prayed and fed a few loaves to thousands. He prayed and knew the will of God. He prayed and accomplished the will of God. He prayed and drove away evil spirits. He prayed and knew the hearts of men. He prayed and perceived the thoughts of men.

He prayed and chose His disciples. He prayed and comforted those in sorrow. He prayed and predicted future peril. He prayed and overcame the flesh. He prayed and offered Himself. He prayed and suffered on the Cross for others. He prayed and sent the Comforter down to His disciples. He prays even today and it is His prayer that protects us.

Yes! Prayer brings heaven down to earth. We need not live a defeated life while we have the power of prayer in our hands! Miracles abound in a praying person’s life. Praying people are not perturbed by temptations. They do not dread Satan’s wiles. You may preach and perish. But you will never pray and perish. Prayer opens heaven and closes hell. Will you commit yourself to a life of prayer? Do it NOW!