The significance of prayer is that it is an opportunity for us to talk to the creator of the universe. The Lord is never too busy to listen to our prayers as we pour out concerns. Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. [1]
While we have concerns we pray about, it is incredible that the Lord often places people or the circumstances of others on our hearts to pray for. We may not know a person needs prayer, but the Lord does. He frequently prompts us as we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish people observed three times of prayer during the day. One prayer time was at 9:00 am, another at 3:00 pm, and finally, an evening prayer time at sunset. Peter and John went to the Temple during the afternoon prayer time.
Unexpected Prayer
As Peter and John went to the Temple to pray, they met a man who was lame, begging for money as they went through the Temple gate. While they were going to more formal prayer time in the Temple, the Lord placed on their hearts to pray for the man begging for money. God often does the unexpected. As we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will provide opportunities for us to pray for others.
While eating at a restaurant, our waitress wept as she brought our bill. I don’t know what brought this woman to tears, but the Lord prompted me to ask her if I could pray for her. The woman let my wife and I pray for her, and we lifted her to the throne of God’s grace to heal her situation. Often, the most significant times of prayers for others are ones that come unexpectedly.
Prayers are Powerful
The Lord gives insight into prayer. James 5:16The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. [2] The prayers of a righteous person are effective because the person is a child of God. A righteous person is not sinless but one who has confessed their sins and has been forgiven. A believer’s most powerful resource is prayer communication with a Holy God. Prayer is a powerful instrument of healing and forgiveness.
The results of our prayers are often more significant than we can imagine. Instead of giving the man begging at the Temple gate money, Peter and John gave what they had. Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up.[3]
The Lord is pleased to use His children to pray for others to accomplish His will on earth. It must bring gladness to God’s heart when His children respond in compassion to those around them, praying for their needs. As you listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, don’t be surprised when the Lord prompts you to pray for someone.
To learn more about the significance of prayer, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-healed-beggar
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Jas 5:16). (1984). Zondervan.