Power of Prayer
E.A. Johnston teaches that prayer enlists heavenly help, enabling believers to accomplish more through prayer than by their own efforts alone.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston uses a vivid oil painting to illustrate the profound power of prayer. He emphasizes that prayer is not a passive act but one that enlists heavenly assistance, enabling believers to accomplish more than by their own efforts alone. Johnston encourages listeners to prioritize prayer in their daily lives, trusting in God’s divine intervention. This message inspires faith and a deeper reliance on God’s power through prayer.
Full Transcript
I am reminded about an oil painting that hangs in a Spanish gallery. In that little scene is a farmer. He's just removed his straw hat.
He's laid down his farm implements, and he's assumed the position of prayer. In the distance of that painting, if you look closely, there's a little village in the background with a church steeple and a bell tower. Evidently, the bell has rung, calling the little community to a time of prayer.
Everyone's laid down their farm implements, set down their work, and they're praying. He's doing that. If you look more closely at that painting, over to the right is a form of an angel.
That angel has picked up his plow and has gotten a team of mule going. It seems like that angel is getting ready to make a new furrow in the ground. The caption of that oil painting is three words.
Three words. You know what they are? No time lost. Do you get it? When we pray, all of heaven is enlisted on our behalf.
We get more done in prayer than we do out of prayer.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Power of Prayer Illustrated
- Description of the Spanish oil painting
- The farmer’s act of laying down work to pray
- The angel’s role in assisting the farmer
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II. Heaven’s Response to Prayer
- Prayer enlists heavenly help
- No time is lost when we pray
- Prayer accomplishes more than human effort alone
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III. Practical Implications for Believers
- Setting aside work to prioritize prayer
- Trusting God’s intervention
- Encouragement to pray regularly
Key Quotes
“When we pray, all of heaven is enlisted on our behalf.” — E.A. Johnston
“We get more done in prayer than we do out of prayer.” — E.A. Johnston
“No time lost.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Set aside regular times to pray, pausing your work to seek God’s guidance.
- Trust that God and His angels are actively working on your behalf when you pray.
- Remember that prayer empowers your efforts and is essential for spiritual effectiveness.