Power In Prayer

By whom [Christ] also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.

Romans 5:2

For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephesians 2:18

The Bible tells us to pray in Christ’s name. Jesus said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

We are not worthy to approach the holy throne of God except through our Advocate, Jesus Christ.

The Bible says, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . . let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14, 16).

God, for Christ’s sake, forgives our sins. God, for Christ’s sake, supplies our needs. God, for Christ’s sake, receives our prayers. The person who comes with confidence to the throne of grace has seen that his approach to God has been made possible because of Jesus Christ.

The late Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse reminds us:

I am not so sure that I believe in “the power of prayer,” but i do believe in the power of the Lord who answers prayer. When the rules are met, then God pours out all blessings on those who come to Him in prayer. There is real power. There is comfort in time of need; strength in time of weakness; forgiveness when we have sinned; consolation in time of bereavement; joy in time of sorrow.

When one has accepted God’s terms of approach through the redemption that is provided by Christ, there is immediate access to Him, and all the promises of God become certified to us.

Am I praying as if this were true?

Our Father and our God, I come boldly to Your throne of grace seeking forgiveness of my sins. Hear my prayer, O God, in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. Strengthen me, comfort me, keep me in Your care day by day. And protect me from Satan through the blood of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).