PRAYER IS OUR POWER SOURCESample

Is Prayer Your Power Source?

Why is it that we simply miss out on this incredible power source? Is it because we don't take time to pray?

* Number one: We feel we're too busy. Period.
* Number two: There are a lot of people here that are so self-reliant that if you begin to pray, that is an acknowledgement that you need help outside yourself. You almost feel like a prayer is a cop-out rather than strength from God to enhance what you do.
* Number three: There are bound to be people that just don't really believe in the power of prayer. You've asked and it hasn't been given to you. And because of disappointment of your prayer life, you've decided to give up on it. Did you know that part of why prayer is powerless is we simply don't pray?

Another reason we give up on prayer is we have the wrong motives. We see prayer as calling on God, this genie in the sky. If we can just get His attention, He'll give us exactly what we want. But God's Word is very clear. That's a big reason that our prayer life can become powerless, because we're focused on what we want usually in regards to material needs. And in the process, we can find prayer very disappointing.

Now all of you grandparents, you know what it's like to take a young child into a store- especially a toy store. That child sets their eyes on something that they want, and you feel like it's best for them not to have it. And all of a sudden you've got a meltdown of one of your children in that store. You know everybody is looking at you and you grin sheepishly. "Gimme this!" "I want that!" "I HAVE to have it!" And sometimes, all of a sudden, something seizes your heart and we weak grandparents end up giving it to them! I don't know what happens to all of my parenting skills and self discipline, but it's like they just go out the window.

What does this have to do with prayer? Well, God is not a grandfather. He's a Father. And as a loving Father, He knows what is best for His children. Grandfathers often lose their minds and forget what is best for their children or grandchildren, but a father is seeking to be conscious of what is best for his children. And that's how God is with us. When we're asking with a selfish motive in prayer, we are often very disappointed in our prayer life, because it's all about me rather than understanding how God wants us to pray.

So, before you pray for something, try to discover what your motive is for that prayer. Is it to intercede for the needs of someone else? Is it asking for God to help you be a better ______________ (fill in the bank)? You might find you won't be disappointed in the answers you receive!