Johannes emphasizes the vital role of prayer in the work of God, highlighting that prayer is the divine method chosen by God to accomplish His purposes on earth. He references James 5:16, illustrating that the effective prayer of a righteous person can achieve much, making tremendous power available. Johannes shares stories of prayer's power, including Corrie ten Boom’s advice to form prayer groups for God's work, and personal testimonies of how prayer transformed lives, such as the deliverance of his son from destructive habits. He underscores that God's work depends on prayer, citing Revelation 8:3-4, which shows that saints' prayers are preserved and used by God to unleash divine power through miracles and natural events. Johannes recounts the story of Elijah praying for rain, illustrating persistent prayer’s importance in fulfilling God's promises, and how prayer can bring about instant divine intervention, as seen when Jesus walks on the sea. He stresses that opposition and storms are expected in God's work, but prayer grants believers power to overcome obstacles and walk in resurrection power. Johannes concludes by urging believers to prioritize prayer in evangelism, sanctification, and overcoming challenges, emphasizing that prayer is the key to experiencing God's mighty power and revival in our lives and communities.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.