PRAYER MEANS POWER, MORE PRAYER MEANS MORE POWER
- Key Verse
- After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Matthew 14:23)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
If you normally see The Comforter in your morning, it won't be difficult to see comfort in your mourning.
Reflections
In the last four years, my wife and I have lost seven family members on her side. The pain of losing a loved one is very real. I can only imagine how Jesus felt when He heard the news of John's beheading. John was Jesus' friend, cousin, and one of the only ones who actually understood who Jesus was -- "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
So Jesus withdraws, seeking refuge with the Comforter, fulfilling His words in Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Jesus proceeded to pray, and power proceeded from Jesus. In fact, in this chapter it appears that Jesus prayed on three separate occasions, all on the same day, and power followed His prayers. He prayed and then healed the sick with no drugs. He prayed and then fed the multitudes with no kitchen. And then He prayed and walked on water with no floaties! Jesus prayed at His baptism, He prayed at the Transfiguration, He prayed just before the cross and even on the cross. Prayer, prayer, prayer all the way! If Jesus needed all that time in prayer, don't you and I need time in prayer? If Jesus needed it in every crisis, don't you and I need it in every crisis?
I've heard it said: "Your prayer life denotes how much dependence you place on your own ability. The more self-confidence you have, the less you pray. The less self-confidence you have the more you have to pray." For Jesus, prayer was a first priority, not a last resort. For me, it is easy to run to prayer once I have run out of solutions. True prayer is not a religious ritual. It is a deep, abiding relationship with The Almighty.
Lord, today, as your disciples asked in Matthew 6, teach me not just to "say my prayers," but to PRAY. Grow in me a deep, abiding relationship with You, that no matter my circumstances, I can know Your POWER as I'm in Your Presence. Amen.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you recently lost a loved one? Where have you sought comfort? Ministries like GriefShare can be of great help in pointing you to the Comforter.2. According to Matthew 14:23-25, Jesus prayed alone from evening until the fourth watch of the night. When was the last time that you spent more than 5 minutes in a secret place of prayer? What is stopping you today?
3. Have you recently attempted something in your own power? What was the result? Have you recently seen power through prayer in your life? Will you share that with someone today?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
MATTHEW 11-15 (JANUARY 16-20)
Read Matthew 13:1-23.
How many different places did the seeds fall? Review what happened to the seeds in each place (verses 4-8).
What do the places represent (verses 19-23)?
What kind of place do you want your heart to be?
How do you make sure your heart stays like the good soil, a place where God's truth will grow?
Activity: Get four paper cups and some rye grass seed. Let each of the four cups represent one of the "places."
Pathway: an empty cup with some seed in the bottom.
Rocky Place: rocks and seed in the bottom.
Thorny Place: put soil with rye grass in it and then put a layer of coins covering the top of the soil to represent the riches of this world.
Fertile Place: soil with rye grass seed planted in it.
Put all four in the sunlight and remember to water them all. Watch and see what happens to all four "places." Think about how to remain like the good soil, allowing God's Word to grow in your heart and life.
Matt Wideman
January 17, 2012 04:25 PM
Since I wrote this, life has driven me to my knees more than I can count. My wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 27 years old and we are well into that journey now. Prayer has been quite often the only thing that has sustained us and undoubtedly has been a true source of power. God is so good and prayer is so powerful. You can follow our journey here: http://treasuresnheaven.blogspot.com/2011/10/treasures-in-heaven_31.html
Lamp
January 19, 2012 04:22 AM
"For Jesus prayer was the first priority not a last resort......." Your entry could not come with better timing for me and then once I get to the bottom and read what is happening to you right now know that I am praying for you and your family. 2nd Timothy 1:7 has gotten me through much, remember power, love and self discipline. Stay in God's word and prayer with him for the power of love and self discipline. He will protect you............Lamp
David Liggitt
January 19, 2012 06:39 AM
Matt - encouraged by your faith and example as I have watched you love others for a long time. Praying with and for you and Randi today.
Jill Moore
January 19, 2012 06:55 AM
Thank you, Matt, for taking me back to The Comforter this morning. And thank you for magnifying this truth of the power of prayer. We stand with you and Randi in prayer knowing He is working everything for our good. We love you guys.
Kim Jackson
January 19, 2012 07:21 AM
Matt- how true this is, and what a timely reminder. As I'm here in Florida at YL new staff training, they are reminding us only thing that makes for a "successful" ministry is having a powerful prayer life and staying close to Jesus. I know how much you and Rands are living this out right now (as you always have). Y'all be encouraged that so many others are running to the Father in prayer for y'all. Love you both!
James
January 19, 2012 07:34 AM
My boy Phatt Matt laying it down!!
Sue Bohlin
January 19, 2012 08:29 AM
Oh Matt! I am so sorry for this horrific journey you and Randi are on, and so grateful for the way God prepared you by teaching you about how essential a strong prayer life is! The way you praise Randi in your blog is absolutely magnificent: what a way to let both your lights shine! . . . Today's chapter also contains the story of Peter walking on water, and he experiences something you guys are all too familiar with: being surrounded by the winds and the waves. He started to sink, but wisely called out for help. I was struck by a new thought as I read about Jesus immediately reaching out and grabbing him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" It's so easy for us to hear those words as full of reproach and disappointment, but I don't think that's what happened. I think that Jesus knew what a "piece of work" Peter was, He knew that it would take a long time to reshape and transform him into His image, and He knew Peter would take his eyes off Him and start to sink. But He loved Peter and had big big plans for His friend, and the sinking was part of the process. I think Jesus' eyes were full of love and grace, and His voice was warm with reassurance. And this powerful memory later gave Peter the ability to repent of betraying his Lord and friend, and receive Jesus' forgiveness and affirmation. At least, that's what I see in this passage. :-)
Lee Danis
January 19, 2012 09:08 AM
Matt, I have not met you and Randi but this morning I have placed your family on my prayer list. I will check the blog from time to time to keep up with your journey through this difficult time. I am comforted that you already have a strong connection with our Lord. I well remember the prayers offered on the blog site for my grandson Gage Holmes when he underwent three and a half years of therapy for leukemia. I pray for our Lord to sustain your family through this difficult ordeal.
Mark Danis
January 19, 2012 09:13 AM
Matt, Great insights. Please know that you and Randi are now in my prayers. I was especially struck by your pointing out how our recognition of our own weakness, something we all struggle with, actually leads us back to our true source of strength. We so often wonder why God does not simply remove some deficiency we may struggle with, but just like Paul, it should more often than not be seen as the means for keeping us in "conversation" with Him. Hence, it is all Grace. God Bless
corey cheek
January 19, 2012 09:19 AM
awesome last 3 paragraphs! I (we) totally underestimate prayer...
Jim Wimberley
January 19, 2012 10:03 AM
Matt, thanking God that you are a faithful prayer warrior and that all of us on The Journey will follow your example. Praying for Randi this morning remembering Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God".
scott coy
January 19, 2012 11:16 AM
Matt, great word this morning and thank you for sharing your life. I am praying for you and Randi today and not saying "a prayer" on your behalf. Stay the faithful course young Matt....Scott
Paul Rutherford
January 19, 2012 11:26 AM
Inspired to pray at length by question #2. Thanks for the challenge. Time with the Almighty really is such a blessing. Thanks for sharing, mister Wideman.
James
January 19, 2012 12:02 PM
Matt, thank you for not only teaching us this morning the importance of prayer, as one who is your community, thank you for being an example of this on your life. I don't think i go a full day without encouragement from you. We are so proud to be a part of your life and to see the rich power of prayer through watching you and Randi use Gods strength to trample on Satans devious plans for evil. Love you bro!
Reggie
January 19, 2012 01:32 PM
Thank you Matt for your call for us (me) to be people (me to be a man) of prayer. I can't imagine the pain you and your wife are going through. Thanks for sharing your heart. Reggie
Jessica Davis
January 19, 2012 02:06 PM
Oh Matt (and Randi) how we love you both dearly and are so proud of how you're walking through this season of suffering. We couldn't be more priveledged to be in community with you both and have the honor of praying alongside you. What warriors you both are and you've taught me so much about trust and faith in the midst of pain. You had just the perfect words in the Journey today and what a sweet reminder of where your heart was pre-cancer. I'm thankful God had prepared you both for such a time as this!
Charlie Do
January 19, 2012 05:25 PM
love you Matt and randi. I know y'all will stay strong and be better in no time at all, you got an entire high school rooting y'all on.(: thank you guys so nic for everything.
Kim Maxwell
January 19, 2012 05:52 PM
Matt, What a wonderful man and husband of God you are. I imagine the love of many at Watermark have surrounded you. I actually live in Colorado but have family at Watermark and love to worship there when in town. I will raise you and Randi up in our prayer chain and continue to pray for you all.
Sallie Dean
January 19, 2012 08:49 PM
Wow, how we have seen you and Randi run to the Comforter "to be comforted in your mourning." We have had front row seats to view His faithfulness and Presence amidst the cancer chaos. It's a joy to be in community with yall! You have such a gift for calling others to ACT and quite a talent for writing! Gotta say...the floaties line cracked me up :)
Carter Blevins
January 19, 2012 10:19 PM
Been prayin for yall since day 1! You and Randi have changed my life so much. Teaching me what it's like to be a real man and i can't thank you enough. I know God has a plan for yall and yall will make it through! Stay strong!
paul J. danis
January 23, 2012 01:56 PM
I lost my wife 8 years ago to lung cancer can't even began to tell you how difficult it was in dealing with it. The only thing that helped me to move forward in my life was to put my complete faith & trust in God. I will pray for you Randi that God will completely heal her and allow her a full and healthy life.