What is prevailing prayer and how can we practice it in our lives? Prevailing prayer is a type of prayer that persists in faith and fervency until it receives an answer from God. It is not a casual or occasional prayer, but a constant and earnest plea to God for His intervention and blessing. Prevailing prayer is based on the promises of God and the conviction that He hears and answers those who seek Him with all their heart.
Prevailing prayer is a prayer that persists in faith and obedience until God answers. It is not a casual or occasional prayer, but a fervent and earnest plea to God for His will to be done. Prevailing prayer is based on God’s promises, His character and His power. It does not give up or lose hope, but trusts in God’s timing and wisdom.
Prevailing prayer is important for Christians because it aligns our hearts with God’s heart. It helps us to grow in intimacy with Him and to depend on Him more. It also enables us to experience His grace and power in our lives and in the lives of others. Prevailing prayer is a way of participating in God’s work and advancing His kingdom.
The Bible gives us many examples of prevailing prayer.
- Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-33)
- Moses pleading for Israel after they sinned with the golden calf (Exodus 32:7-14)
- Hannah crying out to God for a son (1 Samuel 1:9-20)
- Elijah, who prayed earnestly for rain after a long drought and did not give up until he saw a cloud in the sky (1 Kings 18:41-46)
- Daniel praying for the restoration of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:1-19)
- Nehemiah praying for the rebuilding of the wall (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
- Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)
- Paul praying for the salvation of Israel (Romans 10:1)
How can we apply these principles of prevailing prayer to our own situations? Here are some suggestions:
- Identify a specific need or desire that you want to bring before God. It could be something personal, such as healing, guidance, or provision, or something intercessory, such as salvation, revival, or justice.
- Find a promise from God’s Word that relates to your request. Claim it as your own and meditate on it. For example, if you are praying for healing, you can claim Isaiah 53:5: “By his wounds we are healed.”
- Pray with faith and confidence that God will answer according to His will and timing. Do not doubt or waver in your expectation. For example, if you are praying for salvation, you can pray with confidence based on John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Pray with fervency and passion that expresses your sincerity and desperation. Do not be lukewarm or indifferent in your petition. For example, if you are praying for revival, you can pray with passion based on Psalm 85:6: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
- Pray with persistence and perseverance that does not give up or lose heart. Do not be discouraged by delays or obstacles. For example, if you are praying for justice, you can pray with persistence based on Luke 18:7-8: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”
Prevailing prayer is a powerful weapon in the hands of a believer. It can move mountains and change situations. It can bring glory to God and blessing to His people. It can transform our lives and our world. Let us pray without ceasing and expect great things from God. Let us practice prevailing prayer and see what God will do!