THE POWER OF PRAYER
by
John G. Nichols
In James 5.16 the Holy Spirit states, “The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.” It is amazing what can be accomplished through prayer.
It is important to pray in the right way. We must not pray for revenge on a person who has harmed us for Jesus teaches that we are to bless those who persecute us. Nor are we to pray for God to bless us in a way that will do harm to others.
Personal Example:
We live in the country on a state highway. Over the past few years we have had a considerable increase in vehicle traffic. A number of months ago we began to have cars and pickups go by with boom boxes. You could hear and feel the sound before seeing the car. They would cruse the road going back and forth at a very slow speed. This increased to the point that it began to hurt both body and soul.
The thought came to me, and I believe it was from God, that the people responsible for the noise were our enemies. Since the Bible teaches us to bless our enemies and to pray in secret I determined to start blessing them and told no one about my prayer. Every time I heard them coming I would pray:
Father in heaven.
Bless the person responsible for that noise.
Give them a blessing in the name of Jesus.
Rebuke Satan and his demons involved in their life.
Rebuke the Principles and Powers over them.
In Jesus name, Amen
After a few days they began to drive faster by our house and in a few weeks it had almost stopped. From time to time someone would come by with their boom box going and I would again pray the prayer. Now, after several months, we have very few driving by with a boom box. Toward the end they would drive by so fast that all I could pray was “God bless you” and they were gone.
Please note that we did not contact them in any way. I do not know how God did it and I am not going to ask Him how or what He did, but I do know it was in response to a correct prayer that the problem was solved.
WARNING: Do not pray this prayer to get revenge. The purpose is to bless your enemies, not curse them. If you pray with the wrong motive the prayer will not be effective. We must forgive others in the same way God has forgiven us, then God will do great things through us. The loud sound with very low frequency of the boom box is harmful to body, soul, and spirit. Therefore they were blessed when their boom boxes stopped working.
"Bless those who persecute you;
bless, and don't curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Don't set your mind on high things,
but associate with the humble.
Don't be wise in your own conceits.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as it is up to you,
be at peace with all men.
Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved,
but give place to God's wrath.
For it is written,
"Vengeance belongs to me;
I will repay, says the Lord."
Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For in doing so, you will heap
coals of fire on his head."
Don't be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:14-21
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