The Potency of Prayer

The Potency of Prayer Encapsulated by Radical
and Audacious Faith
by
Dr. Rick Wallace Ph.D.
All right reserved Copyright 2014©
Published by Odyssey Media Group

The Potency of Prayer (Revised 03/21/2011)
Foundation Scripture: Mark 11:22-24; James 4:2-3
“22 And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly].
23Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and
does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for
him.
24For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be
confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].” (Mark 11:22-24 AMP)
“You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become
murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and
anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you
seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose
and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual
pleasures.” (James 4:2-3 AMP)
As we embark on today’s journey into the infallible Word of God, it is my earnest and heartfelt
desire that God will reveal Himself in a powerful and succinct way.
It is now that I pray that God illuminate and elucidate His Word that we may be able to grasp —
in depth — its true meaning; that it may touch our hearts in a manner that draws us ever closer
to Him. I pray also that God decrease me in every way and increase Himself within me, that the
message is that of God and not of me. I further pray that the hearts of those that receive this
message will be anointed with a spirit of lucidity, that they might receive the message in a
manner that they are able to apply it to their daily lives, Thereby becoming more powerful and
effective in their walk with Christ. This is my prayer. Amen
Today’s text focuses on the subject of prayer; not just prayer in the broad sense of the word, but
more specifically, the effectiveness of true prayer. We are concerned here today with prayer
that is efficacious as well as perpetual in its efficacy.
It is my opinion that though prayer is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal, it is the most
misused, underused, and misunderstood as well. I will endeavor to bring some lucidity to the
function of prayer and its benefits.
What is prayer? Well, before we address this question, let discuss what prayer is not. Prayer is
not a method of getting God’s attention, for God is perfectly cognizant of every detail in your life.

Through His Divine attribute of omniscience, he knows all there is to know and does not need
you to bring any of it to His attention. Prayer is not attempting to convince God to do something
on your behalf, for God has already done all that is needed. Hebrews 4:3 tells us that the works
were finished before the foundations of the World. This means that all that will ever be needed
to function, progress, and prosper in the ethereal journey we call Christianity has already been
completed by God in eternity past. Let’s look at this passage of scripture a little closer because
there is a wealth of power in the apprehension of this passage.
“3For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest,]
in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He
said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works
had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of
the world.) 4For in a certain place He has said this about the seventh day: And God rested on
the seventh day from all His works. 5And [they forfeited their part in it, for] in this [passage] He
said, They shall not enter My rest.” (Hebrews 4:3-5, AMP)
We see in verse 3 that the works had most definitely been completed before hand (before the
foundations of the world, but we also see that just because God has provided the inheritance,
does not guarantee that all will receive it. There are some requirements that precede the
obtainment of the inheritance. In this particular passage of scripture the inheritance in question
is “REST”. The writer in Hebrews in comparing the Nation of Israel in the wilderness and the
contemporary believer, both having the Gospel preached to them. The Israelites had failed to
enter into their rest (the promised land of Canaan) because of unbelief and the disobedience
associated with the unbelief.
“2For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as
they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them];
but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith
(with [c]the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His
power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it;[d]neither were they united in faith with
the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).” (Heb. 4:2 AMP)
“6Seeing then that the promise remains over [from past times] for some to enter that rest, and
that those who formerly were given the good news about it and the opportunity, failed to
appropriate it and did not enter because of disobedience.” (Heb. 4:6 AMP)
So it is quite important that we understand that although the inheritance has been prepared for
us, it is not automatic. We have to execute our faith, and we do that by exercising our faith
which produces obedience. One more thing to take notice of here is that the writer makes
mention of the fact that God rested on the seventh day. This does not have any religious or
sacramental implication, but what it speaks of here is the fact that God rested after His work
was completed, and this transfers to us in that we shall receive the prepared inheritance after
we have completed the work. The work for the Israelites in the wilderness was to believe and

trust God, which would have led to their obedience and their moving into the rest of the
promised land. The same applies to the contemporary believer; we must execute faith and
move in obedience to receive the inheritance.
Okay then, we have, at least a minimal understanding of what prayer is not, but then what is
prayer? How does it work? Why do so many fail in their prayer lives? These are the questions I
will endeavor to answer for you today. Unfortunately, too many believers are struggling in the
area of prayer, mainly because they don’t have an understanding of its function. It is extremely
difficult to operate in any area without some type of understanding of the dynamic process of
what you are doing. There is an old adage that says, “Where purpose is unknown, abuse is
invevible.” This definitely applies to prayer as well.
In defining prayer, we can say prayer is that function that allows immediate access to the throne
room of God. It is open fellowship between the believer and his creator. It involves both, talking
and listening; reaching out to God with fervency and passion. It is sharing our concerns and
desires. Prayer is the believer’s most effective tool in developing a more intimate and active
relationship with God and it opens the portal to power.
Prayer is a communication system designed by God, which in essence, opens up the portal to
unlimited resources that through salvation have been placed at our disposal. It would be remiss
to lethargically approach our prayer life. Look at what God says concerning prayer in the book of
Isaiah:
“It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will
hear. (Isa. 65:24 NASB)
God, in eternity past, knew through His omniscience every prayer that every believer would offer
up to him. God’s omnipotence gives him the absolute power to provide in advance the answer
to every one of these prayers. Let’s look even deeper into the Word concerning prayer:
“I love the LORD because He has heard my appeal for mercy. 2 Because He has turned His ear
to me, I will call [out to Him] as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 HCSB)
“I will call on Him as long I live.” What a powerful statement. David is saying that he will never
cease to call on the Lord. We are told to pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17. With the
power and effectiveness linked to prayer, why would anyone be satisfied with a perfunctory and

stagnant prayer life? I believe one of the issues with prayer is that most of us for one reason are
another, don’t have the productivity we desire from prayer.
In fact, the ineffectiveness of the Christian prayer life has become an ever increasing concern of
mine. In analyzing the multitudinous conversations I’ve shared with some of you, I have noticed
a lack of fervor, a lack of desire, and a lack of anticipation when it comes to prayer. James 5:16
tells us that the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much. What this means is
that the heartfelt, expectant prayers have potency.
Unfortunately, too many of us have ascribed a sense of mundanity to their prayers. I might even
dare to say that some view prayer as a necessary task or duty instead of an expectant privilege.
Prayer has become ritualistic; we have confused religion with relationship. Christianity is not
religion; it is a relationship that culminates in becoming one with Christ. It is a lived lifestyle, not
a sacramental obligation! Religion has crippled us and made us mechanical and unresponsive
the voice and promptings of God. We can’t hear God when he speaks because our movements
are not properly motivated. We move out of ritualistic habit instead of through the motive of love,
adoration, and gratitude. We are driven by tradition rather than passion and devotion to our
purpose and destiny.
There is no wonder that there is so much concern when it comes to the effectiveness of our
prayers. We have not grasped with certainty the true nature of prayer. Prayer has become
something we have to do instead of something we yearn to do. True prayer has power. True
prayer is never mandated by religious rite or sacrament. True prayer is extended through the
free volition of the believer with earnest expectation, because prayer rests on the foundation of
the believer’s faith. Prayer is to be enjoyed and passionately pursued instead of conscience
driven.
C.H. Spurgeon, the prominent nineteenth century theologian and pastor, once said that when
studying the Word of God, we must do three things: look at the text, look at ourselves, and then
look above ourselves. With this in mind, let us first look at the text.
Therefore, I say unto you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive
them and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24 NKJV)
As we began to anatomize this text, it is to our benefit to consider the admonishment of Paul to
Timothy:
“15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial),
a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing
[rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, AMP)
With this scriptural admonishment in mind, let us now examine the text that is before us.
The first thing that we must take note of here is that our prayers require specificity. Christ says,
“Whatever things you ask.” There must be something definite and specific for which you are

praying. All too often we send up prayers that are nebulous and ambiguous, even to ourselves.
These vague prayers lack concentration of specificity; meaning that there is no clear indicator of
what we are seeking. We know we are in need of something, but are unclear as to what it is or
we are unable to adequately express it. Without the focus of something specific and real for
which we are praying, our prayers become empty and fruitless; perfunctory in nature! When
praying we speak specifically and clearly what we are seeking. There has to be something clear
on which our faith and hope rests.
Next, your prayers must be encapsulated by faith. Christ says, “Believe that you will receive”. A
prayer insulated by faith is a prayer of expectation and hope. True faith demands that we see
beyond the visible circumstance before us. True faith requisites spiritual insight; this insight
comes through the Word of God; and is confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Faith does not consider
the facts, because faith, by its very definition transcends fact. Stop looking at the outward
circumstances and start believing that the God you serve is bigger than any circumstance you
will encounter.
Why are we not walking in power? Why are you pinned in by the enemy? Why are you lacking
in so many areas? James 4:2-3 sheds light on this question:
“…You do not have, because you do not ask.
3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose
and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual
pleasures.” (AMP)
We have failed either to ask our father for what we need or want or we are asking amiss. Asking
amiss is simply asking for something with the wrong motive and intentions. So many of us make
our wish list out for God with no reverence or consideration given to his will. Knowing and
understanding the will of God is of utmost importance.
“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17 NASB)
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external,
superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its
new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and
acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in
His sight for you].” (Romans 12:2, AMP)
Our prayers have to be in line with the perfect will of God for our lives. No matter how
passionate our prayer; not matter how intensely we profess; if we are opposite God’s will, we

are praying in vain. Prayer is not a tool used to circumvent the sovereign will of God, but to
perpetuate it. We are called in Romans 12:2 not only to know the will of God, but to move away
from the thinking and ways of the world. One of the effective weapons of Satan has been his
ability to infiltrate the Christian faith with worldly philosophies. I call this a comingling of the
Word and the World and it is totally in direct opposition to God’s will.
This carries us into the next phase of our study, “Looking at ourselves”. When our prayer life is
unproductive, it calls for introspection, a looking within, and a veracious assessment of where
we are and what we are doing. We must search ourselves to find where we have fallen short.
In your personal prayer life, are you praying specific and direct prayers, or are your prayers
traditional, rehearsed or repetitive, with no true passion? Are your prayers unaccompanied by
faith and anticipation; or just left in the air to linger? Have you taken the time to align yourself
with the perfect will of God or are you still living by your own rules and standards? Are you living
on your own terms, yet arrogantly expecting God to honor your request? It is a shame to see the
audacity we display when we place our petitions and supplications at the altar after having
shaken our fist in the face of God declaring: “This is my life.”
You may reply by proclaiming that you’ve done no such thing; however, each time you choose
to move opposite to His will, any time you choose through your own volition to sin, any time you
choose your way in neglect of God’s way you have said to God, “I will live my life as I please.”
As a creature of free volition, this course of action is of course, your prerogative; however, you
must be prepared for the consequences, one of which is a stagnant and ineffective prayer life.
We must first align ourselves with the will of God before we approach His throne. When we
examine ourselves, are we in line with God’s Word? Can we say with certainty that we are in
unison with today’s scriptural text?
Lastly, let us look above! Let us first look to God and repent, for God has given us a powerful
and mighty weapon in prayer and we have allowed it lie dormant and rust away from nonuse.
How can we consider ourselves to be soldiers of the cross, when God has given us this
matchless and unparalleled power, yet that power lies still, dormant, and untapped?
How Satan must emote with joy knowing that so many of us have failed to utilize this most
awesome weapon at our disposal. In reviewing history it is said that the Roman Emperor
Constantine saw that on the coins of other emperors before him that their image was struck in
an erect posture of triumph. Instead of following suit, he ordered that his image be struck
kneeling in prayer, for he said, “This is the way that I have triumphed.” Constantine had an
erudite understanding that there is no victory without prayer.
We too, must come to this reality. We cannot prosper without prayer; there is no victory aside of
prayer.

When we begin to see our prayer life as a privilege instead of a tedious task, it will open a
pathway to victory. When we see prayer as a direct line to our power source, we will be able to
face the vicissitudes of life without fear and anxiety. When we see the right to approach the
throne of grace as an honor and not a burden, we will unleash the power of God into our lives
and circumstances.
Many of us have been awaiting the movement of God in our situations. We have been
searching for peace in the midst of the storm. We have been looking for something in which we
can anchor our hopes. 2 Chronicles 7:14 lays out the powerful force of prayer as God speaks to
Solomon concerning the temple:
“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and
require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven,
forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (AMP)
Let us turn away from the selfishness of our self-centeredness toward God. Let us humble
ourselves in His presence; let us seek his face with an anticipation of what’s to come. Let us
know that when we seek Him at the point of His perfect and definite will, He will move mightily
on our behalf. We will be able to gain ground in this spiritual walk. We will be able to claim the
precious promises of God. We will be able to face the struggles of this life with a newfound
hope; with renewed purpose and vigor. Through our prayer life, we will be able to embrace the
truth that troubles don’t last always. In prayer we will find that we can do all things through
Christ. Through prayer we will find that God’s grace is sufficient for every struggle. In prayer we
will find that no weapon formed against us will prosper. Though prayer will find the Lord is
mighty to save. Through prayer will find that our weapons are not carnal, but mighty in God to
the pulling down of strongholds.
God is waiting to be gracious to you; He desires to do a new thing. He is prepared to touch
every situation, every circumstance, every heartache, and every disappointment. God is ready
to reach out and bring healing to every aspect of your life.
To those who are suffering in the horrible pit of relational dysfunctionality, God has an answer to
your prayer.
To those who are burdened with financial strain, God has an answer to your prayer.
To those who have been struggling with addiction, God has an answer to your prayer.
I invite you to try him. Step out on faith and watch God as he moves through the show up
process. We all know what God does when he shows up; He shows out!

Claim your blessing! Walk in triumph! Live in victory! Speak with power! Pray! ~ Dr. Rick
Wallace