Well, based on the poll responses it looks like I’ll be doing daily devotions this week. So, I figured I’d just use my daily Bible reading plan and comment on the verses I am currently reading. Today is Mark 5.
Mark 5 is a pretty amazing part of the gospel in that it deals with the power of Jesus and his authority to heal and drive out evil spirits. The thing that jumps out at me is the manner in which he does this. In Mark 5:8 Jesus says, “Come out of this man you evil spirit!” Mark 5:34 Jesus tells a sick girl with a bleeding problem, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” The third instance of healing in Mark 5 is done by Jesus simply saying to the daughter of Jairus in verse 41, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).
When I have been in prayer meetings it seems that one is expected to pray in a wordy way. It’s almost like the more words that are put into the prayer, the more powerful the prayer. I remember the early prayer meeting I would participate in when I first became a Christian; how overwhelming it was to hear all the elegant and verbose prayers of mature Christians and how inadequate and juvenile I felt when it was my turn to pray aloud.
I wonder what would happen if at a prayer meeting we prayed short, specific prayers and truly believed that it was not the power of the words, but the power of God that would answer the prayers. Would we feel good about praying if we prayed single sentences? Would those being prayed for feel short changed if they only received one sentence prayers?
Does it honor God more to pray elongated paragraphs or short, simple sentences that are lifted up to him and done so in faith? Before his healing of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus tells Jairus in verse 36: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He’s telling Jairus not to listen to others and their disbelief that his daughter is dead, but to trust in the Lord and thereby his daughter will be healed.
We have been given all authority to pray over others in the name of Jesus. It is the power of Christ--not the power of our words--that makes prayer effective. Put your trust and faith in the Lord when you pray and he knows what you are asking and why you ask it. If it makes you feel better to pray in longer paragraphs, continue to do that. However, if you don’t pray in long paragraphs and feel like your prayer can’t be as powerful if your words are fewer, don’t believe it! Speak it in the name of Christ and believe and no more is necessary.
