Power Of Prayer

"Truly I tell you, 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 is a powerful weapon that we have that can move mountains, and radically change our lives. Many Christians do not realize the power we have in Christ through prayer, and often miss out on opportunities for God to move on our behalf.

Here are five mountains people face:

1. A major challenge - At certain points of life you will face major challenges that have no obvious solution. In fact, the challenge is too big and beyond your ability and resources. It's a challenge that you should not back down from but you don't know where to start.

2. A major obstacle - When you have begun a work, started a project or taken on a new responsibility you may encounter an obstacle that stops you cold. Failure to overcome the obstacle means failure in what you started and that is not acceptable.

3. A major expense - What happens when suddenly your financial world gets turned upside down with an unexpected expense? We can plan for emergencies but sometimes the emergencies are bigger than our plans. Facing these huge deficits can be intimidating and prompt us to make poor decisions.

4. A besetting sin - Everyone has a particular sin that plagues them. It is a sin that preys on a particular weakness in your life. It trips you up when things are going well and becomes a crutch when things are going poorly.

5. A destructive habit or addiction - Addictions are bad. They are generally unhealthy and usually bring crippling destruction to health and relationships. Because they are addictions, they generally cannot be overcome by willpower alone.

Jesus told his disciples that the answer to the mountain was faith. This faith has no doubt. It's a faith that moves mountains, or withers fig trees, upon command. The thing that is incredible is what Jesus says about using that faith. A word commands the mountain to be removed!

This is a faith that changes things with a word. Notice how Jesus said that this kind of faith directly tells the mountain to be gone. It doesn't even pause to pray that God moves the mountain! This kind of faith is rarely expressed by followers of Jesus. Jesus also commended the prayer of faith.

Prayer with faith is filled with expectation. It is the most important element of effective prayer. Asking God to do something and expecting him to do it and proceeding like it is done - that is faith. When we pray this way, we must also be in God's will.

Fervency is also powerfully important. We are passionate about what we most believe in. When we are passionate for the kingdom our prayers are world changing.

And when we pray in agreement multiplies the effectiveness of our prayers. And in this instance that is exactly what Jesus is talking about. The 'you' and 'pray' are both second person plural meaning it is addressed to his disciples who perform the action together.

The exercise of faith in our prayers shakes everything up.

No matter what your mountain is, ask God to give you the faith to move it!