Our church is beginning 2017 with 21 days of prayer and fasting. It’s something that was actually initiated by our denomination, The Foursquare Church, which has provided an app to help guide us through the 21 days. (Search “Foursquare prayer” in the App Store.)

In my devotion times I have been especially sensitive to passages of Scripture that mention prayer or fasting. Today, when I read Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River, I noticed this phrase:

“…when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,‭‭” Luke‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The literal truth of that phrase is that the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit filled and empowered Jesus to begin His ministry, and the Father’s voice resonated His acknowledgement and approval of His Son. There is also a powerful spiritual application in these words – Prayer opens the heavens to the earth!

When Jesus taught His followers to pray, He taught them that prayer is the process of inviting the will of God to be manifest “on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6)

Prayer is not a last resort of desparation, but a daily discipline which allows God’s will to be realized in one’s life. If prayer allows the will of God to be manifest, then neglecting to pray almost certainly prevents one from experiencing God’s greatest desires for his or her life.

Prayer is the key to heaven’s door. With it we can open/loose the will of God and lock/bind the will of the enemy, satan.

Prayer is what will sustain your health.
Prayer is what will save your children.
Prayer is what will provide for your every need.
Prayer is what will bring you joy, victory, and peace, no matter the battles you may face.

Take some time today and tomorrow to pray. Pray out loud. Pray for whatever is on your mind. Pray until you see breakthrough. Whatever you do, never stop praying!