by David Chadwick
I want to explore some different ways for developing a powerful prayer life. There has never been a more important time for the body of Christ to learn how to contend in prayer. I want to see a display of God’s glory on the earth. Do you? If so, the Church must prioritize prayer. It is a supernatural weapon.
I want you to picture each one of these tips as a key that I am going to hand you. Each key is meant to show you a simple way to open a spiritual door and access the powerful presence of God through prayer.
For some of you, these may be new keys you have never known. For others, you may find that these are keys that you either forgot about or lost. Either way, I pray you will use these keys regularly and purposefully to strengthen your inner self (Ephesians 3:16).
The first key is this: know the character of God. Take a moment and read Matthew 7:7-11.
In these verses, Jesus asks a profound question. If earthly fathers, who are consumed with original sin, still want good gifts for their kids, HOW MUCH MORE does your perfect heavenly Daddy want to give his kids GOOD GIFTS!
As Jesus points out, if a child were to ask your earthly dad for a fish, would he give him a snake? What an awful dad that would be! Or if that same child were to ask for bread, a staple of life, would he give him a stone? Ridiculous! That is not a good dad!
God’s nature and character is good. Psalm 145:8 says, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
For those of us who have put our trust in Jesus and can call ourselves children of God, we have been reconciled fully to our Father. He no longer calls us servants, but friends (John 15:15). The sin that separated us from his love was paid for by Jesus on the cross.
Approach God knowing that he is a good Daddy. An intimate friend. He desires to give GOOD gifts to his children. That’s you and me.
Knowing this KEY will change how you pray every day!