What a shame… How could we have done that? We all were so distracted when that happened. Now, we find ourselves in big trouble. Especially me. I was the oldest one in that group of children. What would my parents say? How embarrassing for the son of a minister.

During a winter vacation, we were visiting our sanitarium. There were no patients at the time, so we as children were free to enjoy the exercise room. Staff members in other parts of the building were busy cleaning and preparing the premises for the first session in the new year. So, since the adults were busy, we as children found plenty of time to have fun playing in this gym. We made tents using the mattresses, we jumped on the massage bed pretending it was a trampoline, and we made up lots of activities for ourselves to enjoy.

Finally, when it was time for us to put things back into order, I realized that the crank of the massage bed was bent and it was beyond our strength to pull it back into its normal position. The bed would no longer function properly for its medical purposes. . . . We were so scared. We well knew how many efforts our church had made to establish that health center as a light in the community.

At lunchtime, I quietly asked one of the strongest-looking young men I could find in the room to come and help me. He pulled the crank with all his strength, but it simply wouldn’t straighten. He excused himself even though he felt sorry for us. Now, my fears only grew. What could I do? Everyone would find out and I would be so embarrassed.

But then a thought occurred to me. Something that might save the day! I would pray. And pray I did. I hoped that God would give me supernatural strength. And I believed that. Despite my childish fears, I put my trust in God. I prayed with all my heart. After that, trusting in God’s help, I started pulling the crank. It was totally amazing for me to see that suddenly I was able to pull it back into position.

It might be a childhood experience, but for me it was the first time when I had really “experimented” with God in prayer in a big way. We have the greatest privilege to experience God in prayer! When there is no other human solution and no powerful guy to help us, God invites us to put our whole confidence in Him.

Have you ever been in a situation where there just wasn’t any way out—where there was no solution in sight? We like to be in control of things. Sometimes, though, life spirals out of control. We realize that we are powerless to change our circumstances or the state of the world or ourselves. Then what?

In this article, we’ll be looking at the secret to power. No, we won’t be talking about the art of warfare to conquer, because history shows us that many so-called “conquerors” were often lacking power in their personal lives. We’re not talking about some self-help mechanism that relies on the innate power within our being—because that’s not enough. “We cannot change our hearts, we cannot control our thoughts, our impulses, our affections.”1 If we cannot even change ourselves, how about fixing other people or the world around us?

The challenges we face in this day and age often appear insurmountable. Today’s society offers no lasting remedy. Differing factions propose sometimes-plausible explanations, but how many offer true solutions? It seems that the news changes from one day to the next—always taking a turn for the worse.

Now, the good news is that amid whatever is going on, there shines a beacon of opportunity. The question is: Do we want to make bad situations even worse or do we want to make use of the privilege that brings hope and power within our reach?

“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?”2

There is talk of a “new normal”—and as bleak as the outlook is at this point, we must realize that there’s nothing normal about what lies ahead. “In our land of boasted freedom, religious liberty will come to an end.”3 At the end of it all, we know that freedom of religion will be sacrificed. In the process, however, many other fundamental liberties are being extinguished. The shallow promises of safety and security are costing us our freedoms.

Regardless of how the politics and logistics play out, the overall outcome is clear. Whether it’s now or whether God sees fit to delay the loosening of the four winds in fullest measure is not for us to know. What we do know for certain is that a crisis is approaching and the only way to be prepared is to connect ourselves with the Omnipotent One.

How do we achieve this vital connection? It is through prayer that humans have the possibility of connection and communication with our Creator—the all-powerful One. This is a one-of-a-kind experience. Nowhere else can we find such peace in time of danger, such hope amid despair.

“It was by self-surrender and confiding faith that Jacob gained what he had failed to gain by conflict in his own strength. God thus taught His servant that divine power and grace alone could give him the blessing he craved. Thus it will be with those who live in the last days. As dangers surround them, and despair seizes upon the soul, they must depend solely upon the merits of the atonement. We can do nothing of ourselves. In all our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour. None will ever perish while they do this. . . . He who listened to the cries of His servants of old, will hear the prayer of faith and pardon our transgressions. He has promised, and He will fulfill His word.”4

Regardless of what goes on around us, we should desire to place our trust in God and in His promises. Then we, like the psalmist, will be able to say: “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11).

This attitude, founded in an ongoing connection with the Almighty and trust in God’s Providence and wisdom, creates courage in the heart of the believer. We know what lies beyond the clouds. By faith, we may see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Why do we not show that we have a living Saviour, one who can walk with us in the darkness as well as in the light, and that we can trust in Him? . . .

“We have seen clouds interpose between us and the sun, but we did not mourn and clothe ourselves in sackcloth for fear that we should never see the sun again. We manifested no anxiety about it, but waited as cheerfully as possible until the cloud passed away and revealed the sun. Just so in our trials and temptations. Clouds may seem to shut from us the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness; but we know that the face of our Redeemer is not forever hidden. He is looking upon us with love and tender compassion. Let us not cast away our confidence, which hath great recompense of reward, but when clouds hang over the soul, let us keep our eyes fixed where we can see the Sun of Righteousness, and rejoice that we have a living Saviour. Think how beautiful was the light which we enjoyed, keep the mind stayed on Jesus, and the light will again shine upon us, and dismal thoughts will flee. We shall have joy in Christ, and shall go singing on our way to Mount Zion.”5

We serve a living Saviour. Don’t we see His hand of mercy, recognize His voice of cheer? If maybe we’ve forgotten what it means to find joy in Christ, then it’s time to turn the eyes of faith Heavenward, through prayer. An answer will come. Beams of holy joy will shine through. The question for us is: Is our faith persevering?

The Bible admonishes us: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6). And the promise is: “The fervent prayer of the righteous is never lost. The answer may not come according as we expected, but it will come, because God’s word is pledged.”6

There are so many powerful examples of prayer—in the Bible, throughout Christianity, and hopefully in your daily life. Let’s look at the versatility of prayer for a moment. No matter where you are or what you’re facing, the power of prayer is not just at your fingertips; it’s literally a thought away.

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. . . . And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time” (Nehemiah 2:4, 6).

“The man of God did not venture to reply till he had sought direction from One higher than Artaxerxes. He had a sacred trust to fulfill, in which he required help from the king; and he realized that much depended upon his presenting the matter in such a way as to win his approval and enlist his aid. ‘I prayed,’ he said, ‘to the God of heaven.’ In that brief prayer Nehemiah pressed into the presence of the King of kings and won to his side a power that can turn hearts as the rivers of waters are turned.

“To pray as Nehemiah prayed in his hour of need is a resource at the command of the Christian under circumstances when other forms of prayer may be impossible. Toilers in the busy walks of life, crowded and almost overwhelmed with perplexity, can send up a petition to God for divine guidance. Travelers by sea and land, when threatened with some great danger, can thus commit themselves to Heaven’s protection. In times of sudden difficulty or peril the heart may send up its cry for help to One who has pledged Himself to come to the aid of His faithful, believing ones whenever they call upon Him.”7

Another example of the power of prayer is found in 2 Kings 19. Here we find a lesson as to the purpose of prayer.

“And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only” (2 Kings 19:15–19).

Oftentimes, we might pray. But what is the attitude with which we come? Is it simply because we want some blessing or another? Or is it with the heart-felt purpose of glorifying God? This is something for us to consider. “If we will come to God as little children, asking for His grace and power and salvation, not for our own uplifting, but that we may bring blessing to those around us, our petitions will not be denied. Then let us study the Word of God that we may know how to take hold of His promises and claim them as our own.”8

Prayer brings us closer to the Creator. That means we must be willing to be ennobled, to be brought into closer likeness to the image of God. “Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.”9

Are you hoping for success in the Christian life? Do you want strength to overcome? Do you desire power, wisdom, and strength? “Prayer is heaven’s ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, ‘Ye shall receive.’ ”10

“We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then.”11

We don’t need to be worrying. We know that we live in perilous times, but the Bible instructs us: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Worrying won’t help, but praying will.

“Secret prayer sustains this inner life. The heart that loves God will desire to commune with Him, and will lean on Him in holy confidence.”12

“True prayer takes hold upon Omnipotence and gives us the victory. Upon his knees the Christian obtains strength to resist temptation.”13

When our lives are characterized by prayer, God is able to work mightily in our behalf. “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet” (Psalm 91:13)

What do you think of Daniel? How could he have survived the lions? Hadn’t many others threatened with similar conditions died? What made the difference? God promises that if we ask according to His will, He will grant us our request. Daniel simply believed, trusted, and asked for Divine Protection. He probably asked that God would allow him to live and be a testimony there in Medo-Persia. We can see that this was part of his life to be in close connection with his Creator. He did not fear. In answer to his prayer, God closed the mouths of the lions.

Do you think that Daniel would have survived in the lion’s den had it not been for his faithfulness? Even the king recognized that Daniel served God continually. Thus, God vindicated the cause of his servant. Daniel was a prayer warrior. If this godly man prayed three times a day in normal circumstances, imagine how hard he must have been praying that night, surrounded as he was by those wild beasts ready to devour him at any moment!

Earlier, we already explored the fact that prayer brings us close to our Creator. This is where all true hope is found. “It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited.”14 That should be reason enough to make us want to stay close to Christ, through prayer.

There’s something else we should be praying for as well. “Every church is in need of the controlling power of the Holy Spirit; and now is the time to pray for it.”15

We won’t receive this special blessing unless we recognize our need and ask for it in earnestness. “Not until through faith and prayer the disciples had surrendered themselves fully for His working was the outpouring of the Spirit received.”16

It is our duty to prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is only possible as we fix our eyes upon Jesus—the perfect Pattern. He will aid us and send the Holy Spirit to guide us each step of the way. Christ will give us the strength necessary to perfect our characters and do a mighty work in His cause.

Prayer gives us hope, power, confidence, courage, and strength in a world filled with despair and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. God wants to give us the Holy Spirit in greater measure than ever. Are we ready to embrace that promise and claim His invincible power in our lives?

When you look backwards, don’t look at the problems in your life. Look at what God has done for you, look at what tremendous lessons you gained from every difficult trial! Write your problems in sand but engrave your special moments in stone! Look backwards with understanding and look forward with hope and faith! Grasp the arm of God! Grasp it with tremendous confidence!

“Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer. Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us—the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed—thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our pilgrimage.”17