The church needs to understand that our praise and worship should not be a substitute for prayer. Prayer is vitally important in the lives of Christians. As a child I heard my Mom minister at a women's prayer meeting saying, Prayer is the main artery of a believer. Once it get cut off, you will die spiritually (quickly). That was very profound and subsequently I remembered it all my live.
I used to pray that God pour of His power on me or that I will be on fire when I minister. I have been praying that God would bring revival in the church. That was an ignorant thought. God is not going to pour out His power because we pray or use us mightily because we pray.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:3 (NIV)
It is like they say... You are doing the right thing but for the wrong reasons.
It is not that our prayer changes God, NO! Prayer changes us. The reason why we pray is to get deeper in relationship with God. It is about seeking God and His will for our lives. And as we get deeper in relationship with Him, then we discover more about ourselves.
Through prayer we are drawn more into alignment with God. It brings us more in right standing with God. And as we are getting in the right position or in right standing, then it enables God to release His power/glory. The revival you so desperately want to see in your church or the community first have to be birth in you.
I have always read the scripture saying, that the effectual(efficient) fervent(passionate) prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Never really grasped the true meaning of that scripture.
“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” - James 5:15 (Msg)
From that scripture it is clear, that prayer is not answered based on how long or how many words you use in prayer. But rather that prayer must be focused, intense and passionate. Not just the utterance of a whole lot of words. But rather that we remind God about His promised, meaning that you are praying into the will of God.
And in order for the power to be released, you must be in right standing with God. If you get to the place where you have a solid relationship with God, then you will experience God on the move in church before you even opened your mouth. And He will answer your prayer when you asked because you have fulfilled the scripture saying...
But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matt. 6:33 (KJV)
I challenge you to stop focusing your prayer into what you can get from God. But rather use your time in prayer to devote yourself unto God and giving your all to him. Withholding Nothing! And you will experience an outpouring like you could not have imagined.
Shalom!
