by Dr. David McKinley

Our God is a miracle-working God. If you could ask for one miracle, what would it be? Do you daily pray for God to bring about that miracle? If not, why not?

Despite what we profess, there is a dark shadow that covers the lives of most Christians today. It is simply that we pray too little. The reason may be that we have not yet become convinced of the power that is available to us through prayer.

Our Authority in Prayer

In scripture, God’s giving is inseparably linked to our asking. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus told His disciples, "Ask and it will be given to you..." Again, in John 14, 15 and 16 He said, several times:

"I will do whatever you ask in my name...;"

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you...;"

"Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name..."

We are not promised anything from the Father apart from our asking. He wants us to ask; it is the evidence that we believe and trust Him, and that we depend upon Him.

Asking links our frailty to His sovereignty -- through prayer. Prayer provides us with an awesome authority. Through prayer we affect and influence realms in which we are involved, but from which we may be removed physically or influentially.

Our authority in prayer is based upon:

1) Our access to God (Hebrews 10:19)

Through the blood of Christ, we have access to God in prayer.

2) Our acceptance in the Son (Hebrews 4:13)

We have authority because of our identification with Jesus Christ. We are one with Him, and His authority becomes ours as we approach the throne of grace.

3) Our assurance in the Spirit (Romans 8:26)

The work of the Holy Spirit is released through prayer. The Spirit is the guarantee (the "earnest" KJV) of our salvation. It is by the Spirit that we receive the supply of everything we need. It is by the Spirit that we have strength for the work God calls us to do.

The Spirit intercedes for us. Can there be any question about the Father’s hearing of our prayers?

The Son has died for us. Can there be any question about God’s acceptance of our prayers?

Approach the throne of grace boldly. Anticipate what God can and will do through your prayers. Ask for the miracle, and see how God works to prepare you, and others, for His answer.