P.R.A.Y.E.R. – R for Results
What are the results of prayer?
We often think of results as “outcomes.” It’s natural that we would anticipate certain outcomes as we pray through the issues on our heart. However, the greatest blessing of prayer is not found in outcomes but the “impact” it makes on us. As C.S. Lewis said, prayer “doesn’t change God. It changes me.”
Prayer turns our beliefs and theology into experience. Experiencing God through prayer is part of His design and shapes our Christian character.
“Through prayer we sense His presence and receive His joy, His peace, His love and confidence, and thereby we are changed in attitude, character and behavior.” Tim Keller.
Prayer reorders our lives and rightly orders our “loves” The more exposure we have to God, the more we begin to understand His heart, His loves, His priorities - and then they become ours. Our “loves” are not just reordered - they are “rightly ordered.”
Prayer brings God into every circumstance in our life. Prayer is not always about trying to change or control our circumstances, it’s about knowing God better to face our circumstances.
Prayer reorients us by giving us a different perspective. The higher elevation prayer brings gives us a new outlook on how we see ourselves in relation to God and everything else. This helps us see life from an “eternal perspective.”
Prayer keeps us in fellowship with God. Much competes for our hearts and attention. A vibrant prayer life helps us approach life with a connected relationship with Him producing peace, selflessness, and joy evident to those around us.
Psalm 86:11-12 Give me an undivided heart… that I may praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart
Prayer creates dependence upon God. Culture pushes us to be “self-reliant and fully independent”, but a life of dependence is largely created through yielding to God in prayer.
Prayer helps us find our “life purpose.” Praying and listening to God’s answers gives us direction and wisdom. Even when He chooses not to answer immediately or as we hoped, prayer itself is a path to purpose and peace.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Prayer gives us strength to avoid temptation. God helps us make good choices when we remain connected to Him. He provides strength in moments of temptation.
Prayer can work miracles. Throughout scripture, we see God working miracles as an answer to prayer. Through daily prayer, we can also experience personal miracles such as healing, peace, and freedom from the bondage of sin.
Prayer produces forgiveness. When we confess our sins to God, we have the assurance that He will cleanse us from all our sins, and we will remain in a right standing before Him.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
P.R.A.Y.E.R. - Prayer Releases All Your Eternal Resources!
Stay Hungry,
Big E
Matt. 5:6