Most believers want a life of power, they want to see the hand of God move mightily in their life;I know I do. However, to have a life of power, you must first cultivate a life of prayer.

            James 5:16 says; the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. One translation says the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man makes great power available, dynamic in its working.

            Philippians 4:6 says; be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

            Romans 12:12 says; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.

            1 Peter 3:12 says; for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.

            This is only a small portion of what the Bible has to say about prayer - there is much more throughout the word of God about the prayers of Gods people and how they caused great power to become available.

            Remember Acts 10:4 when Jesus came to Cornelius? Jesus showed up in the life of Cornelius in person. Why? Because Cornelius had been praying and giving alms and for that reason alone Jesus showed up. When we pray, something happens, great power, dynamic in its working becomes available and the King of Kings shows up on the scene. In verse 31, the word of God says that the prayers came up before God and he was remembered. When God hears our prayers, he remembers his promises to us and shows up to fulfill them. Isn't that great news?

            Revelation 8:4 is a verse I love; it says our prayers ascend before God. I love getting a mental picture of that. This very morning when I spent time in prayer, my prayers ascended before the throne of God, like incense, before my God. I think that is awesome in itself.

            How is your life? Is it filled with power? Are there things in your life that you would rather not have there? If so, in the book of Matthew, Jesus said some things only come out through fasting and prayer. Some things can only be handled through a diligent prayer life.

            The people that I see having the most peace and the most manifestations of Gods promises in their life are people of prayer. They are people who make it a priority to spend time in prayer each day.

            There is another type of person; the one who only prays when something goes wrong in their life, when they are in dire need of a miracle. That would be like your kids only coming to you when they need something, for me that would get really old really quick, but God is more merciful than I am.

            God hears those cries however, the Bible says his ear is tuned in to those who have a diligent prayer life, and their prayers are constantly before him. Those who have a diligent prayer life do not seem to go from crisis to crisis. There may be seasons like that but it won't be a lifestyle. These people also seem to hold steady in the storms of life, because they are encompassed in a life of prayer, they already have their answer.

            How is your prayer life? Is it strong? Is it consistent? Are you praying for our country? Are you praying for its leaders? Do you keep your family and friends covered in prayer? Do you pray over your money and what God would have you do with it? Do you pray over your day? Do you spend time each day in prayer? It doesn't have to be hours and hours, it can be minutes, but it does need to be consistent and regular.

            I prayed for each of you this morning that God would bless you and keep you and that you would be so blessed you would be a light for everyone around you. I prayed that you would be prepared for any storm that might come, that you would be so prepared that you would not feel the effects of the storm at all. That through every storm you would continue to have peace, you would continue to have health, you would continue to have financial prosperity and you would continue to walk through it all in His holy presence. That is my prayer for you.

            But it is also my prayer for you that you would walk in power, and to have a power filled life you must have a prayer filled life. Today, I ask you to consider your prayer life, is it power-filled? If so, great! If not, let's work on that...beginning today.