Prov 15:28 tells us that the prayer of the upright is His delight and in verse 29 of that same chapter we read that God, “hears the prayers of the righteous” (NKJV). (See also 1 Peter 3:12). Psalm 34:17 declares that God not only hears the prayers of the righteous but also, “delivers them out of all their troubles” (NKJV). James also talks about the prayers of the righteous saying that, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16; NKJV). (See also Matt 7:7; John 14:13,14; 15:7; 16:24). 1 John 5:14 enlarges on this by saying that God hears us when we pray according to His will. In addition, Jesus told us that we need to address our prayers to God the Father in Jesus name (John 16:23). What is the secret to answered prayer? Praying in faith (Matt 21:22; Mark 11:23-24). We do this by believing that we receive the answers to our prayers when we are praying (that is before the answer actually comes). Faith isn’t the only thing needed; we also need to be forgiving as Mark 11:25 tells us. One last point on prayer – “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17); in other words, stay in communion with God throughout the day as much as possible. Prayer is our lifeline to God, follow the example of Jesus and make it a daily habit (Mark 1:25, Luke 5:16).

In Psalm 44:6,7 the writers show great dependence on God. They say they will not put their trust in their weapons, but it is through God and His name that they have defeated their enemies. Also, in Psalm 60:12, we read: “Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (NKJV). In the New Testament we are also assured of having victory over satan. The author of the book of Hebrews wrote: “that through death He (Jesus) might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil and release all those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb 2:14-15; NKJV). Jesus gave us authority over satan. “I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19; NKJV). (See also Luke 9:1). So, we see from these verses that Jesus taught His disciples to use His authority and not their own, not only for dealing with satan but also for ministering to the sick. Romans 15:5 reminds us that without God we can do nothing, but we can do: “all things through Christ who strengthens” us (Phil 4:13; NKJV) and “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:37; NKJV). Let’s remember that as we go through our day and ask God to help us in all we do and speak.

In Mark’s gospel Jesus is quoted as saying, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23; NKJV). That verse still speaks to us today. Jesus, in His ministry on earth often said, as He prayed for people, that it was their faith that brought the result. Let’s look at some examples. A blind man called Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for healing and Jesus' response was, “Go your way; your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52; NKJV). A woman with a chronic bleeding disorder was convinced that if she just touched Jesus she would be healed; she did and she was! Jesus acknowledged her faith (Matt 9:20-22). Four men brought a paralyzed friend to Jesus and the only way they could get him to Jesus was by making a hole in the roof and lowering him down, “Jesus saw their faith” and healed the friend (Mark 2:1-12; NKJV). A Roman centurion whose servant was very ill was too humble to have Jesus enter his home but just said, “Lord, speak a word and my servant will be healed. “Jesus said, “I have not found such great faith not even in Israel.” Jesus spoke and the servant was healed (Matt 8:5-13; NKJV). Sadly, in His own hometown, Jesus was unable to perform great miracles, “because of their unbelief” (Matt 13:58; NKJV). He once commented that if we only have faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains (Matt 17:20). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”” (Heb 13:8; NKJV). He still looks for people of great faith!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col 4:2; NIV). The Greek word for “watch” is gregoreo, it literally means to stay awake; other Bible translations of this verse use the words, “keeping alert.” In Matthew 26:41, when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, He told His disciples to “watch and pray” because they were getting drowsy when He was going through His time of greatest need. The word “watch” is also used in the New Testament in the sense of being prepared and ready for the second coming of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 24. Jesus was telling His disciples that no one knows when He will return so he said, “watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matt 24:42; NKJV). In verse 44, He told them, to “be ready” because His return would be unexpected. We see another reminder to be ready in the book of Revelation, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev 16:15; NKJV). Paul also uses the word “watch” when he exhorts the Corinthians to “Watch, stand fast in the faith” (1 Cor 16:13; NKJV). Other translations say, “be on guard”, “be on the alert”, instead of watch. Finally, lets note the words of Peter, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8; NLT).