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Alfred lord Tennyson wrote, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.  So very true and powerful is the statement. Often we pray without even knowing how much impact it can have. 

That is why as a church we have set aside and marked these21 days for Fasting and Prayer. What better time than the beginning of the year to consecrate to the Lord. I was overwhelmed by the response of the Carecell Leaders to open their homes for Prayer. The Prayer, as on today is being held in 30 different locations, Praise the Lord! You will not imagine what it is going to do for the church, the families and the community at large. 

Why is it so essential to Pray? There is power in Prayer.  

James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God certainly listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. 

Prayer increases our Faith in God:Lord Jesus made a powerful statement about prayer.  "…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). Prayer increases our faith in God. The very act of prayer is a demonstration of the faith we have in a God who just wants and waits to give more than what we can ask or imagine. 

Prayer is a powerful weapon: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  Prayer teaches us that the battle is not ours but His. 

Prayer helps us understand God’s Will: The Bible urges us, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer helps us understand the heart of God better.  1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully! 

Let me encourage you by concluding what more Prayer can do (Ps 61:1-8) 

●     Prayer helps you to reach out through prayer and touch lives of family and  friends (v2)

●     Prayer helps you to come closer to God (4) – Through Jesus you get enter into the presence of God and dwell under His wings.

●     In prayer you draw upon the heritage you have in Jesus Christ(v5) 

●     Prayer puts depth in your life. It helps you to live fuller(v.6,7)

So I urge you……, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:6-7