The abundant life is filled with answered prayers. As believers learn to engage with God to bring forth his purposes, their prayers are powerful with God and consistently answered by him. Tremendous power is released through the fervent or passionate prayer of a righteous person (James 5:16-18). For example, Elijah demonstrated tremendous power with his prayers to control the rain over Israel for three and a half years. Also, he prayed and fire came down from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-40). In this study, you will discover the role of fervent prayers in the abundant life.
Introducing Fervent Prayers
Answers come consistently from fervent prayers in which God’s will and the will of the believer match. These are passionate, intensive prayers carrying enough energy to manifest his purposes. The power of prayer comes from engaging God as a co-laborer by speaking to him and hearing his voice that is filled with energy. It is the energy in God’s voice that changes a situation and brings a promise to pass.
Some things come to pass quickly, while others require a process of labored prayer. The Apostle Paul labored in prayer for believers in Galatia: “I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).
Out of your relationship with Jesus and as his representative, you can ask the Father whatever you desire and it will be given to you. Jesus said, “Until now you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full” (John 16:24). The joy of an answered prayer fuels a passion to pray more. “A passionate person makes good use of his time, wealth, and energy” (Proverbs 12:27 TPT).
Prayers in the Area of Finances
Prayer is critical in every aspect of God’s kingdom, including personal finances. The motivation of the heart is important in deciding how to pray. Let love motivate everything you do. Ask for the Lord’s guidance on how to pray. “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13). The guidance of the Spirit will fill your prayers with power and make them effective.
There are no limitations on prayers, but all prayers are not equal. Some carry faith and some carry doubt and unbelief. Prayers with doubt and unbelief are ineffective. The following discussion of prayers for finances are offered as guidance for making your prayers more effective.
Prayers in Scarcity
Many people are just barely getting by in the financial area. They are living from paycheck to paycheck. They are continually in need of God’s help to survive and pray for financial miracles. Regardless of how many miracles God provides, these people are not being transformed by the miracles.
A widow who was about to have her two sons become slaves to her creditors asked for God’s intervention in her situation (2 Kings 4:1-7). All she owned was a jar of oil. The prophet Elisha said to use her oil to fill the empty vessels from her neighbors. There was a supernatural overflow of the oil. She and her sons sold the oil and paid off the creditors and then were able to live off the excess. This is an example of pouring out what you have into the lives of others and living off the overflow.
A young man we know was having trouble with his finances. He got behind with his house payments and was about to lose the family home in foreclosure. He began praying for the finances of the congregation he attended and the individual contributors to that congregation. He also began teaching a class about personal finances. He got involved with helping other people improve their financial situation. In a few weeks, his situation improved to the point that he was no longer facing foreclosure. He was transformed from being a poor steward of his finances and self-centered to seeking God’s will, hearing his voice and obeying him.
Prayers Leading to Abundance
Abundance comes out of a vibrant prayer life which fulfills the Father’s purpose. Believers are instructed to pray for many things, including the kingdom of heaven operating on the earth and the Father’s will being done, but they are never instructed to pray for abundance of finances for themselves. Even Paul was praying for others when he asked God to meet all their needs. “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Many times, this verse is taken out of context and used in a selfish prayer. However, there are prayers that lead to abundance. These prayers are motivated by unconditional love.
King Solomon continues to be one of the richest and most powerful men of all time. He prayed powerful prayers and instructed others on prayer. For example, he wrote that the prayer of the upright is the Lord’s delight (Proverbs 15:8). When Solomon first became king of Israel, he prayed for wisdom, not riches (1 Kings 3:6-9). God was delighted in his prayer for it was God’s will for his people Israel to be governed with wisdom. He gave Solomon wisdom, and he also gave him riches and honor for which he did not ask (1 Kings 3:12-13). Solomon had God’s favor upon him because he loved the people of Israel and wanted them to be governed wisely (1 Kings 10:9). Solomon’s great abundance came from walking in God’s favor and doing his will.
Personal Story on Abundance
When we were a young married couple discovering the ways of the Lord, we were barely scraping by from one day to the next. We loved the Lord and often gave sacrificially because we were sold out to the Lord, being willing to give up everything and do anything to be close to the Lord and fulfill our purpose. We poured our finances into the religious system thinking that was what the Lord wanted. We helped finance and build several buildings and good religious programs. Our financial situation did not improve much during that season of life not having knowledge about the Father’s will and ways.
It was not until we began to discover our place in God’s family and in his kingdom that our financial situation began to change. We stepped out into the ministry and financed our ministry efforts. We established a mission and fed the homeless people in our community. As our efforts pleased the Lord, he sent others to come along side of us and help finance our efforts. When that season ended, we began traveling frequently in other nations to make disciples. Now we are heavily involved in international ministry schools to raise up ministers and release them into their purpose and destiny. The Lord continues to finance our ministry efforts. We are still sold out to the Lord and desire to fulfill his purpose above everything else. Destiny is all that matters!
Conclusions
The Holy Spirit searches the heart of God to show believers how to pray effective fervent prayers. These prayers contain enough energy within them to bring forth God’s purposes. This energy comes from hearing God’s voice. When you hear God’s voice and pray what you hear him speak, you will walk in God’s abundance.