I will be honest with you. I struggle with prayer. It’s hard. One moment I’m excited to pray and then busyness often crowd out prayer. I was programmed as a little boy to work hard for desired outcomes. Praying seems like you’re not working.  It doesn’t make sense. I know the Bible emphasizes prayer, but I struggle making it a consistent, daily priority.

How about you? Do you struggle with prayer? Would you consider joining on a prayer journey with me. My goal is not only to motivate you to pray, but provide a Biblical basis for prayer and various outlets where you can join others in prayer. I will borrow insights and quotes from Ronald Dunn’s great book, Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something: The Incredible Power of Intercessory Prayer.  

“Prayer is not a substitute for work, or merely preparation for work. It is work. I discovered that prayer is not a religious exercise—it is a human necessity. I discovered that prayer is the secret weapon of the kingdom of God.”

It applies throughout the ages. Jesus said, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in My through their word” (John 17:20).

Jesus told a parable about an unjust judge and a widow seeking justice (Luke 18:1-8). The widow symbolizes all of us with no influence, no money, and no defenses. Her persistence won out and Jesus asks, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).  

The Jesus Secret
Jesus took no credit for the words He spoke or works He performed
(John 5:19,30; 8:28; 12:49). His miracles and words lie with the Father who did those things through Jesus.

Look at Jesus’ amazing promise in John 14:12: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me  will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

One example of greater things comes after the disciples prayed ten days in the upper room. The Holy Spirit-filled disciples saw 3,000 people added to the church after Peter’s short sermon (Acts 1-2).

What did Jesus mean by greater works? The real key is this phrase: “I am going to the Father.” Upon ascending, Jesus sent the Spirit where Jesus intercedes and answers the prayers of His disciples making it possible the doing of greater works (John 7:39; 16:7).

The pledge of greater works in John 14:12 is followed by another promise in the very next verse (John 14:13): “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”

Asking “in My name” is emphasized in the Upper Room Discourse six times where Jesus gives his last words before His death (John 14-16):

  • And I will do whatever you ask in My name (John 14:13)
  • You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:14)
  • Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:16)
  • My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 16:23)
  • Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive (John 16:24)
  • In that day you will ask in My name (John 16:26)

To pray in the name of Jesus means to pray “by the authority of,” “in harmony with, “ or sanctioned by” Jesus Christ as His ambassador because we’re about His business. It’s praying according to His will, with His approval, and consistent with His nature, character, and purpose.

Where and with whom does the Holy Spirit want you to pray? Here are some possibilities.

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