The power of prayer

Pastor Eduardo preached: The power of prayer: We are caught in a stream of history that we cannot control.

Our country insisted that we, with military power, our tremendous wealth and our alliances with other countries, are the owners of our own destiny, when history shows that God was the one who designed the course of this nation.

There is only one power that can change the course of history, and it is The power of prayer: the prayer of men and women who believe in Christ and revere God.

From layer to layer of the Bible are stories of people whose prayers were answered; people who changed the direction of the story through prayer; people who prayed fervently, and God answered. Abraham prayed, and while he prayed, God did not destroy the city of Sodom, where Lot, Abraham's nephew, lived. Genesis 18: 16-19: 27

Hezekiah prayed when his city was threatened by the invading Assyrian army commanded by Sennacherib. The entire Sennacherib army was destroyed and the nation was freed for another generation ... because the king had prayed. 2 Kings 19: 14-19

Elijah prayed, and God sent fire from heaven to consume the altar offering he had built in the presence of the Lord's enemies. 1 Kings 18:38 Elisha prayed, and the son of the Sunamite rose from the dead. 2 Kings 4: 8-37 Jesus prayed by the entrance to the tomb of Lazarus, and he who had been dead for four days came out alive. John 11-12 The crucified thief prayed, and Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in paradise. Luke 23: 42-43 Paul prayed, and churches were born in Asia Minor and in Europe Ephesians 1:15-19. Peter prayed, and Dorcas rose again to serve Jesus Christ several more years. Acts 9: 36-42

But today, we have reached a point where many people consider prayer to be a mere formality. Thousands of people pray only in times of great tension, danger or uncertainty. Christ taught his followers to pray always. So fervent and direct were the prayers of Jesus that once, when He had finished praying, his followers approached Him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11: 1).

What a glorious thing it would be if millions of us made use of the privilege of praying! Jesus Christ died to make this communion and this communication with the Father possible.