Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Prayer Is More Powerful Than Kungfu! (Second Level)

(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul)

Scripture Reference: Still on James 5:16 (NKJV)

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

In the last blog, I mentioned that there is a place where we can receive and get the righteousness of God, through faith in Christ. So, that's good. But what's next?

Notice the word "effective" in James 5:16? How can we make effective prayers? Read on.

"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Matt 4:8-11, NKJV)

Notice the word "For it is written..." (v10). Do you know that even Jesus quotes from the Scriptures? He is no different from us! Here, our Lord was being tempted by the devil but He used the Word and the important thing is this...He SAID it. He voiced it. Basically He told satan off using the Word of God! And what happened next, was that the devil left Him, and behold! Angels came and ministered to Him!

Brothers and sisters, do you notice that when you watch those period dramas, those pugilists and those well-versed in martials arts, loved to say the stance when they display it? For example, when one is using the Drunken Fist, he will say it out loud and clear, "Haha, let me show you my Drunken Fist!" and he proceeds to show his Drunken Fist.

There is great truth in this: The Bible teaches us that when we learn to make prayers, we learn to pray prayers that are of God's Word.

For example, when you are not well, don't just pray "Father, I pray that I will recover soon". This is good but it can be better! Pray "Father, Your Word in Isa 53:5 says that by Your Stripes we are healed. Not just 'going to be healed', not just healed 'soon', but that we ARE healed! Thank Your for Your Promise, the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it!"

Today, learn to pray Biblical prayers, pray the verses and promises of God as you are praying for something in your life. As you pray these verses and promises, you are reminding God of His claims. Numbers 23:19 says that "God is not a man, that He should lie...". He will never sabo you, He will keep His promises and He will bless you. As you practice your kungfu, speak out the stance that you're displaying. Satan will be in fear!

(Today's devotion was brought to you by Paul)

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