Prayer Works Mightily

Psalm 91:8 – Only with thine eyes shall thou behold and see the reward of the wicked 

When we look around, we may see that evil is prevailing. The wicked seems to be striving better than we are. Life seems to be sweet for them. It is during such times we must take comfort in knowing that God is extending His mercy, patience, and long-suffering to people. He desires that they, and we, turn to Him in repentance. The wicked need the Lord so we should always pray for them that they would turn to the Lord. 

In 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, we read, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone- for kings and all those in authority – so that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives in godliness and with dignity.”  

God wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. So, instead of backbiting, criticizing, and judging, we should pray because prayer can help change the hearts and minds of people. We are called to pray for those in authority so we may be at peace and live peaceful and quiet lives. 

We find men and women throughout the Bible praying on behalf of others to change the course of a city, nation, and even the whole world. Remember Elijah? James 5: 17-18 says, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for 3 and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded crops. 

Hear this, Elijah was a man just like us. The Bible does not say God answered his prayer because he was a prophet or a great man of God. NO, it says, he was a man just like you and me. He prayed earnestly. That means he prayed with all his heart. He prayed honestly. The prayer of faith from one man or woman can change the course of nature, the course of a nation, just as Esther did. Prayer is powerful and it releases the host of heaven’s army on our behalf. 

Acts 12: 1-11 encourages us that as the church prayed fervently for Peter, the night before his trial, an angel appeared and released him from the prison so we should pray for others, especially our children and youth. When we earnestly seek the Lord, He rewards us because He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. He rewards the godly. 

Galatians 6:8 tells us that the wicked will reap destruction if they do not mend their ways, if they continue to sow to the flesh. Hosea says the man who sows to the wind will reap the whirlwind. They will reap destruction. 

The reward for the ungodly is destruction. The destruction and trouble they try to bring on others will fall on them. They will fall in the same pit they have dug for others. 

Haman tried to exterminate not only Mordecai, his enemy, but the entire Jewish nation. We see that Esther, through God’s intervention, intervened and the plan the Haman concocted for the Jews fell on him. How did Esther do it? Through prayer and fasting. 

She did not just run to the king when her uncle called on her to save her people. Instead, she called for all the Jews, including herself, to go on a three day fast to humble themselves before God. After the fast was over she went to the king who granted her favor by extending his scepter to her. She made her petition, and what Haman had planned for Mordecai fell on him and the Jews were saved. 

Psalm 7: 16 says, “The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. 

Romans 12:19 says, “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 

Proverbs 24: 17-18 warns, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the Lord will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him. 

When we see our enemy fall and stumble, we should not boast and rejoice. This is how the world behaves. We are children of God, and His love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 

When we see our enemy stumble and fall, we should pray for them and minister the Good News of God’s love. We must remember where God has brought us from. We were like they are, and had it not been for His grace we would be where they are now. 

Mercy triumphs over judgment. Let us be a people of love and mercy. Let us minister the truth found in John 3:16. 

We are the light and salt of this earth, and we have Good News to share in a chaotic and hurting world. 

Before we do or say anything, let us seek God and His wisdom in every matter so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the tragedies sent to us by the ungodly.