Prevailing Prayer

Today’s Verse:

And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail. ~Isaiah 16:12

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The word “prevail” means to be successful, to overcome, or to be superior in strength and power. In the realm of prayer, it aptly describes the kind of praying that God answers. It is the kind of praying that God blesses. It is the kind of praying that God uses to make a difference. Let us see this morning the elements that result in prevailing prayer.

It is praying with contrition.

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Contrition is when we are broken in spirit, confessed of our sins, and poor in spirit. It is realizing our utter helplessness and that without Him, we can do nothing. It is when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He can exalt us in due time.

It is praying with consecration.

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Being righteous is living in obedience and submission to the Lord’s Word and will. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A righteous man walks with God. A righteous man lives a life separated from the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, and does not sit in the seat of the scornful. Job was a righteous man and experienced God’s favor in his praying.

It is praying when we are in combat.

“Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us” (Hosea 12:4). Jacob wrestled with the angel at Peniel. This pictures combat in prayer. Epaphras labored fervently in his prayers for the church at Laodicea that they would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. This means he wrestled in his praying for them. We are contending against the devil for the souls of men. We are contending for Christians to stand in the will of God. Prayer is going to war against the devil.

It is praying with confidence.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Prevailing prayer is in faith. It believes that God is faithful, just, able, powerful, infinite, everlasting, and rewarding. He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Faith praying commits everything into the hands of a God Who can do anything but fail.

It is praying that is continuous.

Prevailing prayer is persevering. It keeps asking, seeking, and knocking. It does not take “no” for an answer. It is the church praying without ceasing for Peter’s release from prison. It is Jabez asking God to bless him and enlarge his coast. Continuous praying is importunity in praying. Elijah prayed seven times on Mount Carmel before a cloud the size of a man’s hand appeared, indicating rain was on the way. Prayer and supplication is when we pray continuously until the answer comes. We do not allow weariness to affect our praying: we just keep on praying. Make it your passion to be a Christian who prevails in prayer.

Have a prayer-prevailing God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalms 26-31

#Isaiah #Prayer