But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Bottom line: The Power of God is not in Prayer but in the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching
Growing up, I learned from fellow believers whom I met in the church that, when we pray, God hears us and the power of God manifests to save us. So, I grew up with the belief that “a prayerful man is a powerful man.” But, as I grew daily in Christ, I began having some doubts concerning this because my experience did not blend with that knowledge. For example, I saw people being crushed by circumstances of life, yet they were quite prayerful, even more prayerful than I was. Then, I said to myself, there must be something we are missing out. In my quest for an answer, the Lord started showing me what I’m about to share with you.
I recall how on that day, He taught me how to pray and said “The power is in my presence, not in the prayer”. This opened my understanding and provided the explanation I was searching for.
Nowadays, a lot of Christians have much more confidence in their capacity to utter words and declarations in prayer, but pay little or no attention to the presence. Prayer is powerful when it is backed up by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Out of the Spirit of God, prayer has more or less no power. Our proof text says:
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Those were Jesus’s words to his disciples. He told them, the power will come when the Holy Spirit will come. The Bible teaches us that the disciples locked themselves up in an upper room and prayed daily for the promise of the Lord. They wanted to go out and preach the gospel to the world as instructed by their master, Jesus, but he told them,
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:49 (KJV)
Then, the holy ghost came. Power came. The Bible shows us that after this event, Peter preached to the crowds, and about three thousand souls believed and were added to the church in one day. Can you believe that?
So, the reason why you have prayed and preached the word to many around you and yet they have not believed up till now is because the presence of the Holy Spirit was not there. I guarantee you, if you go with his presence, you shall come back with testimonies.
Let the presence of the Lord lead you everywhere you go and in everything you do, and you shall have great testimonies.
Moses, the prophet of the most high God said.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Exodus 33:15 (KJV)
Pay attention and spend time with the Holy Spirit daily. Ask him to lead you in everything you do. He is in your life for that purpose. Jesus said.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:25-26 (KJV)
The apostles were successful because Jesus taught them how to pray. The Holy Spirit is in your life to teach you how to pray as well. His presence in your life is all the power you need to become the successful man or woman the Lord has created you to be. Be Led by the Spirit.
Further Study
- Romans 8:14 [For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.]
Reflection
- How often do you talk to the Holy Spirit in prayer?
- Looking at your life, do you allow yourself to be guided by the Lord’s Spirit or you are the captain of the boat?
- Are you willing to submit yourself to his leadership? If yes, then pray this prayer.
Prayer
Thank you Holy Spirit for being in my life and ready to lead me in the glorious destiny that the Father has prepared for me. I declare today that you are my guide. Lead me in the way I should go and let your presence abide in and with me forever, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
