Prayer in the life of a believer has four major assignments. Prayer as a key wasn't introduced to the church as a factor of no relevance, but one that opens doors in four major ways. From the Bible, we'll realize that Jesus' life started with prayer and also ended with prayer, an indication that prayer is not just a tool in the life of a believer but one that commands realms beyond what the eyes can see.
When believers pray, here are four things it does:
1.Growth and transformation.
Luke 9:29 KJV
[29] And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Jude 1:20 KJV
[20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
One of the assignments of prayer in our lives is growth and transformation. Believers who pray genuinely often experience growth and transformation, not just in their spiritual life but also physically. There's a certain aura they carry that differentiates them from people who have grown cold in prayers. Prayer builds us up; this happens slowly, grooming us until we become transformed so that the world can see. It doesn't just happen in a day, but in a place of consistent prayer.
2.Making request and obtaining promises
Philippians 4:6 KJV
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Through prayer we make requests. It's the only medium through which we communicate with our heavenly Father. Just like a father, God encourages believers not to worry but through prayers to make their requests known to him. While people may worry, prayer becomes one channel where we get to lay before God our burdens, supplication, and thanksgiving.
3.Spiritual legislation: decree, creating reality
Job 22:28 KJV
[28] Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: And the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Through prayer we can create a reality that doesn't yet exist. While we pray, we can decree a thing and it shall be established. It doesn't happen through casual speech, but through prayer, where portals that are closed are made open. Prayer is a believer's spiritual legislative order. We decree a thing and it stands. It's a place where we break and rearrange unfavorable decrees that were placed upon us. Through prayer we say a thing and it comes to pass, and we rebuke negative utterances that God didn't destine for us.
4.Warfare and making intercession
Ezekiel 22:30 KJV
[30] And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Through prayer we make intercession. It's through prayer we become watchmen and women for our homes, families, finances, and health. All that's required is a man who'll stand in the gap to pray. Unfortunately, a lot of people pray as a routine when evil and wickedness surface, when it was designed to become a tool of warfare even before evil strikes. When we pray sometimes, we do all four of these unknowingly. Prayer isn't just a culture; it's a key for warfare, making requests, creating reality, and transformation.
