Better Words, Better Actions: PraiseLive's 30 Day DevotionalSample

By Anja Letsatsi, Global Voice of Prayer

The danger in an age of social media and access to any information we need at a click of a button is that we read powerful promises in Scripture and miss the impact of what is promised.  

James 5:16 states, ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’ According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, the word ‘powerful’ is defined as ‘having a lot of strength or force.’ Princeton’s Word.net defines it as ‘having great power or force or potency or effect.’ Synonyms for the word ‘effective,’ used in the same Bible passage, include ‘successful,’ ‘constructive,’ ‘fruitful’ and ‘potent’! 

Imagine what would happen if we truly believed this promise!

Scripture is full of men and women of faith that understood the power of prayer. Elijah prayed, and it didn’t rain for three and a half years. Hannah prayed and had a son after many years of barrenness. Peter was released from prison by an angel after his brothers and sisters in the faith interceded for him. Moses asked to see God’s glory, and his request was granted; his face shone with the glory of the Lord for days! 

Will these powerful accounts inspire us to follow their example? In these challenging times, the need to delve deeper into prayer is more significant than ever. As citizens of a Kingdom ruled by an all-powerful King, may we see our families, communities, and nations delivered from sickness and peril as we lift faith-filled prayers to our Father, and then put them to action.

Reflection Question:

What are the ways I can seek to grow in praying God-sized prayers for my community, city, and nation, in addition to bringing my personal needs before the Lord?

Praise + Prayer:

O Lord, how mysterious are Your ways that You choose to move as Your children pray! Father, would you renew a passion for prayer within us, and help us think outside the box, outside our comfort zones, and trust You for extraordinary things! Father, make us the answer to our own prayers – that we may love and serve the ones You place before us in this time of challenges and adversity. May Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done in our cities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Idea:

Invite a few praying friends to join you for a 7-week Zoom challenge. You can connect online weekly to pray faith-filled, God-sized prayers over your city and community, and especially for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.