SAD TO SAY, far too many Christians are burdened by the negative influence of the world. They accept failure too quickly because they have let their faith become weak and their spirit grow faint from the negativity around them.
Of course, it would be foolish to deny that we live in a negative world. Our world is full of trouble. Real problems exist everywhere. And if existing problems are not bad enough, we constantly face predictions of impending natural, economic, and political disasters.
So what is a Christian to do?
First, we can take comfort in knowing that nothing happening today is news to God; nothing is taking Him by surprise. In fact, He warned us that difficulties would come. John 16:33 (NIV) says, “In this world you will have trouble.”
These are the words of Jesus! He said trouble is sure to come—but that’s not all He said. He added these encouraging words: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The world needs us as Christians to be a positive influence. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
It’s important to know that a positive influence glorifies our Heavenly Father! And if we are going to stay POSITIVE, WE MUST COMMIT OURSELVES TO PRAYER.
WORRY is designed to DISTRACT US from the Word of God.
THE POWER OF PRAYER OVER WORRY
We must never underestimate the importance of prayer. It enables us to stay in peace when we are surrounded by negativity.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In this passage, Paul tells us to present our problems to God instead of worrying about them—then God’s peace will come into our heart and mind.
We must resist the temptation to worry. Why? Because God told us not to be anxious about anything.
We were not designed to carry anxiety and burdens. If we’re not careful, we can allow our mind to become disappointed, discouraged, and depressed. We can let worry in instead of God’s Word.
Worry is designed to distract us from the Word of God. The devil tries to get us to spend our time worrying. If he succeeds, we will become more and more negative, and our faith and prayer life will be ineffective.
God wants to answer our prayers! He wants us to bring our concerns to Him. First Peter 5:7 (NIV) says, “Cast all your anxiety [worry, care] on him because he cares for you.”
In Mark 11:24 (NIV), Jesus Himself said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
God gets the glory when we receive answers to prayer! And answered prayer is one of His greatest blessings. It enables us to remain in peace and stay positive.
Remember, Philippians 4:6 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we pray, we are to give God both our petitions and our burdens. In exchange, He gives us His peace that passes understanding. And He promises that He will take care of us and answer our prayers. He relieves us of the anxiety, worry, and care associated with our problem. That way, we can stay positive and thank him for the answer while we expect it to come to pass.
PROOF OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN PRAYER
Bible heroes of old won tremendous victories through prayer. They took their requests to God boldly and obtained mercy and grace from Him in their time of need. They judged Him faithful and held on to their confidence and godly hope until their answer came.
Modern-day leaders in the faith have also proved that God is faithful to answer prayer. Let’s look at one of them.
In the 19th century, George Mueller founded a great chain of orphanages on nothing but prayer. He lived by faith, refusing to tell anyone his needs. Instead, he mentioned them only to God in prayer. At one point in his ministry, he housed more than 10,000 orphans with no steady financial support. He trusted God daily to meet their needs.
Rev. Mueller estimated that God “had answered over 50,000 of his prayers, many thousands of which were answered on the day he made them and often before he arose from his knees.”1 His fruitful prayer life can be traced to his commitment to God’s Word.
George Mueller performed exploits for God in his ministry. At times, there wasn’t a morsel of food in the entire orphanage for hundreds of children. But Mueller and his staff would pray. Again and again, he records “money or supplies had arrived with only minutes to spare before the children sat down at the table.”2 Why do you think he (and others like him) could make such an impact? Because he was saturated with the Word and had a strong faith and confidence in his prayer-answering God!
PRAYING FOR OUR NATION AND LEADERS
In Second Chronicles 7:14, God told Israel, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
This verse is no less true for us today. Considering the decisions made by our elected leaders every day, we should pray for our nation and for those in authority on every level—national, state, and local.
The Apostle Paul said, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).
Far too often, Christians fail to pray for those in authority—those who make decisions that affect everyone. Yet Paul says to do it first when we pray! Many don’t fully comprehend the huge benefit that comes from such obedience: a quiet and peaceable life!
We must not neglect this important matter of prayer. We need to believe that God wants to answer our prayers, and then do something about it. We must pray!
1Basil Miller, George Mueller: Man of Faith and Miracles (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1941), pp. 22, 145.
2Roger Steer, George Mueller: Delighted in God! (Colorado Springs, Colo.: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1981), p. 109.
Author
Kenneth W. Hagin
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