The explosive power of short prayers (Updated)

Even a short time for prayer can make a big difference. I was thinking about the contest that Elijah took on with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). The god who answered by fire would be the true God. In answer to Elijah’s prayer fire came down and consumed the sacrifice. Some important truths for prayer from the story:

  • Short prayer made the difference.

I looked at several different Bible translations of the prayer that Elijah prayed and read it out load. It took about 20 seconds. Yet this short prayer brought an answer by fire. Yes, he was probably in an attitude of prayer the whole time this event was going on, but his prayer was only 20 seconds. I can find 20 seconds in various parts of my day to see what God will do in my life. Later in the day he would see again the value of persistent prayer, yet sometimes God will answer in a moment. Elijah was like us and he prayed and God answered. (See James 5)

  • It wasn’t even a contest between God and the enemy.

Looking at the story, the prophets of Baal prayed for a long time and got no results. It wasn’t like they got a little bit of fire while God sent a lot of fire. No, they got nothing and God had a pyrotechnic display. This is an important truth to remember in prayer. When we go to God in prayer it is not to a god who is weak and unable to answer. When we battle in prayer it is not against an enemy that is somehow equal to God.

  • A dramatic change can come in a short period of time.

In the course of a day there was a powerful change in the country as a result of God’s move that day. God spoke to me years ago to the effect, “I can do in a moment what would take you a lifetime.” I have found this to be true. It is amazing the how the landscape can change quickly in answer to our prayer.

[tweetthis]God can do in a moment what would take us a lifetime.[/tweetthis]

So even if we only have moments it is not excuse from going into God’s presence to ask. What answers to prayer have you had that came as a result of a short prayer? What if you gave God the next 20 seconds?

Step 1 to experience a new season with God

God has new things for you to experience. The question is will you experience. This short video will show you an important first step to experience this new adventure that God would take you on with Him.

[tweetthis]It is time for a new season with God. Let us go after Jesus! [/tweetthis]

11 Leaders Give Advice To Have Your Best Prayer Life Ever

Kevin Senapatiratne 2015

What if Christian leaders could come alongside you and give you a piece of advice or encouragement to help you have a great prayer life? What would they say? I asked these Christian leaders and here is what they had to say:

I believe a good prayer life comes from “recognition”- recognizing God for who he is- our creator, savior, and salvation. And us recognizing our deep need for Him. It’s important to set aside a certain time of the day to pray for a while. But it’s also important to “pray without ceasing” throughout our day in things that we “recognize”.

Mac Powell -Third Day

www.thirdday.com Twitter: @macpowell

I am a big believer in praying consistently for the people I am discipling. I use my iPad to keep photos of the people I pray for weekly. I have photos of my family, close friends and the Timothys I am mentoring. During my prayer time I flip through these photos to pray for them. I have found it to be a powerful and effective way to pray for the people I care about!

Lee Grady- Charisma Magazine and Mordecai Project

www.leegrady.com Twitter: @LeeGrady

The plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God. We don’t get our marching orders until we get on our knees! But if we hit our knees, God will take us places we never imagined going by paths we didn’t even know existed.

Mark Batterson- New York Times Bestselling Author of The Circle Maker

MarkBatterson.com Twitter: @MarkBatterson

[tweetthis]We don’t get our marching orders until we get on our knees![/tweetthis]

It may sound simple, but the best advice I can give anyone regarding improving their prayer life is to Pray about Prayer.  In other words, if you need help with your prayer life (and who doesn’t?), then why not ask for help? When it comes right down to it, none of us are really that spiritual.  If I want to be a man of prayer, I am going to need the Lord’s help. Pray about prayer!

Dave Butts- Chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee

www.harvestprayer.com Twitter: @hpmdave

Want to have an incredible prayer life in 2016? Then start and end each day with thanksgiving.  Thank God for the blessings and for getting you through the trials. Having a heart of gratitude will change your life.  I know, because it changed mine.

Tracie Peterson, best-selling author of over 100 Christian fiction novels

TraciePeterson.com

[tweetthis]Having a heart of gratitude will change your life.-Tracie Peterson[/tweetthis]

Relentlessly set aside margin in your week for prayer. If you’re struggling with a daily time, just do it as often as you are able – whenever you can get away. And if possible, give yourself enough space in your schedule to pray & worship as long as you feel like it.

Matt Brown – Author of Awakening: How God’s Next Great Move Inspires & Influences Our Lives Today

www.Thinke.org Twitter: @evangelistmatt

Remember that it’s never about obligation; it’s always about invitation. Jesus invites us to be much with Him. The moment this feels like an ‘ought to’ or a ‘should do’ I know I’ve lost sight of the fact that He loved me first and I remind myself of His love and I marvel afresh at the miracle of my salvation. That keeps my prayer life alive, a delight, and full of expectancy. The star-breathing God invites me to partner with Him in the greater Kingdom story and He moves when I pray. What else could be a better use of my time? So grateful.

Susie Larson- Talk Show Host- Live the Promise

www.susielarson.com Twitter: @SusieLarson

[tweetthis]The star-breathing God invites me to partner with Him in the greater Kingdom story -@SusieLarson[/tweetthis]

Ron Auch-Why did Jesus pray so much? This used to concern me because I thought, If anybody had God figured out, Jesus did, so why did He need to pray so much? One day the Lord just spoke to my heart and said, “Jesus did not pray to figure Me out. Jesus prayed because He had Me figured out.”

Ron Auch- Pray Tell Ministries

www.pray-tell.org

Prayer is getting Gods ideas without the stain of human logic.

Dave Williams- Dave Williams Ministries

www.davewilliams.com

Too often, we make prayer exceptional rather than normal. Make it a habit to end your time with people in prayer. When you share a meal, a meeting, or a conversation with someone, close with “Do you mind if I pray a blessing for you today?” You’ll be surprised how often that turns into a God moment! Even non-believers like to receive prayer.

Rod Loy-Pastor First North Little Rock

www.firstnlr.com Twitter: @PRodLoy

Spend time with Jesus. Intimacy with Jesus creates boldness in prayer. Ask Him to reset your life and bring a reset to this nation.

Nick Hall- Pulse

www.reset2016.com Twitter: @NickHall

Want to have a great prayer life? Think that prayer maybe should first be a “get to” before it is a “have to? Then we are here to help you on your journey. Sign up for an email and let’s go on a journey toward God together.