“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges God has given to believers. It is more than presenting requests to God; it is communion with God, dependence on God, and partnership with God in fulfilling His purposes. The Christian life is not without battles, challenges, temptations, and difficult seasons. However, God has given us prayer as a means of seeking His help, wisdom, strength, and intervention. Victory through prayer does not mean that a believer will never face difficulties. It means that, through prayer, we can face difficulties with God and overcome them according to His will.
God is the Source of our victory in every situation and prayer connects us to that Source. Our victory begins with God. When we pray, we acknowledge that our strength is not sufficient and that we need God’s help.
Psalm 121:1–2 (NKJV)
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Prayer shifts our attention from the size of the problem to the greatness of God. When the problem says, “You cannot overcome this,” prayer reminds us: “My help comes from the Lord.”
The world we are in is full of battles, temptations and worries but we receive strength in the place of prayer to face these. Jesus told His disciples:
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Prayer strengthens us spiritually. There are battles that cannot be won merely through human determination. We need God’s grace to stand. When we pray, God gives us strength to: Resist temptation, remain faithful, overcome fear, endure trials, make wise decisions and continue when we feel weak
The way we see ourselves or the difficulties we go through make all the difference in our lives, and prayer helps to change this positively. Sometimes prayer does not immediately change the situation, but it changes the person facing the situation. Consider Jesus in Gethsemane.
Luke 22:42–43 (NKJV)
Jesus prayed: “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
After praying, He received strength to face what was ahead. This teaches us that prayer is not simply: “Lord, remove the problem.” Sometimes it is: “Lord, give me strength to go through this and remain faithful to You.”
Different matters bring anxiety and fear into our hearts but we are able to have peace through prayers. One of the victories we receive through prayer is victory over anxiety and fear.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Notice that Paul does not say there will never be things to worry about. He says: Take everything to God in prayer. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can know the One who holds tomorrow
Key Point: Prayer is not a sign of weakness. Prayer is an expression of dependence on the Almighty God.
Confession: In Christ, I have victory and I overcome challenges and situations of life.
Related Scripture: Psalm 121, Philippians 4
Bible Reading: Exodus 34
