Our Prayers: Choosing the Impossible Over the Possible

What is prayer?
Prayer is a word that describes the communication between a us and God. Although this sounds pretty simple, the challenge is that we can’t physically see God, making prayer a real exercise of faith. People without faith do not pray. But the beautiful thing about prayer is that we can pray anywhere and we can pray about anything. I hope this article inspires you to believe that prayer has the power to make the impossible possible!

Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.

Ephesians 6:18 (Voice)

In one verse, the word prayer is used five times, highlighting its important! Why is it so important? Because it has the power to change everything. Prayer unleashes God’s unstoppable power in our lives.

Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Will I really have a baby, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for me? I will return to you at the appointed time next year. Sarah will have a son.”

Genesis 18:13-14 (NIRV)

Nothing is too hard for God… When we pray we are exercising our desire for the Impossible over the Possible.

He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Mark 9:29 (NIRV)

We all have certain sins, weaknesses and character flaws. These personal demons can only be conquered through prayer.

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG)

Being controlled by these things, means they have given them power over our lives. In addition we often don’t realize we need help. All of these sins, flaws and personal demons prevent us from developing the kind of relationships with people and with God we so desperately need.

Prayer- Winning our Personal Battle

“Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 (NIRV)

Prayer is the key to helping us overcome our temptations. What are the temptations that we feel defeated by? Make a decision to commit them to prayer everyday.

Prayer – Discovering Your Destiny

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)

Do you believe that God’s plan for your life is good, with a bright future & hope?
Do you believe that when you pray, God listens?
Do you seek God wholeheartedly?

Working on answering yes to these questions will transform our prayer lives.

Prayer- Changing what we Love

If I had enjoyed having sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But God has surely listened. He has heard my prayer. 20 Give praise to God. He has accepted my prayer. He has not held back his love from me.

Psalm 66:18-20 (NIRV)

What we love and enjoy determines the effectiveness of our prayer! What sins do you love? Enjoy? Cherish? Entertain? Part of changing is admitting this to God and begging God to help you change your desires…
God can change our desires

Prayer- Overcoming our Fears

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4 (NLT)

Consider the following fears and their corresponding Scripture and Question
Fear of Intimacy – Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV) – What are the fears in my life that tempt me to give God the silent treatment?
Fear of Rejection – Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) – What sin/guilt in my life do I think is greater than God’s love?
Fear of Disappointment – Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) – What tempts me to believe God will let me down?

Prayer- Developing our Character

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

Luke 18:1 (NLT)

Did you know that prayer changes the one praying? Prayer makes us tough, resilient and develops our character. God knows this and cares about our character more than our immediate relief.

Prayer- Making the Impossible Possible

“Have faith in God,” Jesus said. 23 “What I’m about to tell you is true. Suppose someone says to this mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea.’ They must not doubt in their heart. They must believe that what they say will happen. Then it will be done for them. 24 So I tell you, when you pray for something, believe that you have already received it. Then it will be yours.

Mark 11:22-24 (NIRV)

Whole-Hearted Prayer moves God…
Whole-Hearted Prayer transforms you…
Whole-Hearted Prayer changes the world…
Whole-Hearted Prayer makes the impossible possible!

To conclude, consider these questions:
1. What do you consider impossible that you once considered possible?
2. Do you believe prayer can make the impossible possible?
3. Did you know that prayer unleashes God’s power in our lives?
4. What’s one decision that can change your prayer life today.