The Power of Prayer


In the course of history, a number of individuals have been blessed with the power of performing miracles.  These miracles are frequently regarded as tricks or illusions and it is important to guard oneself against frauds, but it is equally important to realize that MIRACLES ARE REAL, and that, if you can read this, you have the power as well.

Christ revealed to us the power of prayer rooted in firm belief.  He taught, "He who believes in me, the works I do he will also do, and greater works than these he will do" (John 14:12); and, "If you have faith even like a mustard seed, you will say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea!' and it will obey you" (Luke 17:5-6); and, "If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will way to this mountain, 'Remove from here!' and it will depart, and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:19); and again, "Whoever says to this mountain, 'Arise and hurl yourself into the sea!' and does not waver in his heart, but believes that whatever he says will be done, it shall be done for him" (Mark 11:23). The power of prayer is enhanced if it is communal, because this serves to safeguard against selfish requests, "I say to you further, that if two of you shall agree on Earth about anything at all for which they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in Heaven" (Matthew 18:19). This was not figurative language, but the absolute truth plainly spoken.

What is required for performing miracles? First an intention to do good for others, prayers guided by selfishness are doomed to failure. Secondly, the prayer must be made with a clean and pure heart. Thirdly, the one praying must acknowledge both publicly and in their hearts that the miracle is not their doing, but God's. Many who have the power to do miracles lose it because they begin to think that the power stems from within themselves. Consider the arrogance of Moses and Aaron:

And the Lord said to Moses, "Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters.  From the rock you shall bring forth water for the community and their livestock to drink." So Moses took the staff from its place before the Lord, as he was ordered,  He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock, where he said to them "Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?" Then raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the community and their livestock to drink.  But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them." (Numbers 20:7-12).
Moses took credit for the miracle when he said, meaning Aaron and himself, "Shall we bring water for you..." For this reason, God made his first attempt fail and punished him by refusing to let him enter the promised land. If Moses, who was a great man with direct awareness of God, could fall to this temptation, how much more should we be on guard against falling prey to this form of pride?

Here is a good prayer with which to start exercising your power.