The Potency of Prayer

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