By Jill Coyne

Jesus’ name holds more power than we realize; His name is the power of prayer.

We are made righteous through Christ (Romans 3:22), and the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus prophesies that anyone who believes in Him will have the authority to do the same and even greater works than He has done. He will do whatever we ask in His name to bring glory to the Father (John 14:12-13).

The same power that causes demons to flee lies within you (Mark 16:17). The same power that formed the earth lies within you (John 1:1-3). The same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead lies within you (Romans 8:11).

Friend, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are powerful. Not by your strength, but through the Holy Spirit that lives within you.

Circumstances constantly unravel beyond our control; however, when we turn to the Lord in prayer, He moves mountains before our eyes. Breakthrough happens, and you get to be a part of it!

This semester I have started praying during my morning runs, which amounts to about 5-6 hours of solid prayer per week. God does so much in and through those sweet times together. The Lord is faithful to respond, and whether the victories are big or small, they all bring forth a revitalized passion for prayer and an incredulous conviction of its power.

One morning, I prayed for the Lord to orchestrate a divine appointment for my mother and provide an opportunity for her to evangelize. That evening, she called and told me how she shared her testimony with her doctor.

During my mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I prayed over a man who had been experiencing stomach pains without any relief from medicine or doctors. As I prayed over him, he felt fingers tapping out the pain, and it was completely gone!

I kept inwardly critiquing my non-Christian friends. When I stopped critiquing and started praying, the Lord changed my heart towards them. I was able to love them better, and as a result, they saw Jesus through me. He started a mighty work in their hearts and began to change their lives.

Experience the power of prayer:

1. Make prayer a regular rhythm in your life. It is the best investment of your time.
   • “If prayer seems to you a diversion from productivity, remember God does more in five seconds than we can do in five hours.” – John Piper
2. Rather than complaining, moping, or judging, pray about the issues, circumstances, and people for which the Lord has burdened you. Your prayers have the power to bring change and restoration.
3. Don’t be afraid to pray bold prayers. Step out in faith, and watch how the Lord responds.

As followers of Jesus, we have the authority to bring heaven to earth!

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” -1 Corinthians 4:20