One of the lines in what is popularly called the Lord’s Prayer is, ‘’Give us this day our daily bread’’. So we understand that prayer is a means towards having our daily needs met. Unfortunately, majority of Christians have no bigger picture of prayer than this. Many see it basically as the magic wand to put food on the table and pay other bills. While prayer can help us access ‘’our daily bread’’, its power is far reaching in scope for those who have fully exercised themselves therein. For example, prayer is a means to divine power which can make the gates of hell quiver.

“We gain purity in prayer; and power for exploits is the reward of such devotion.”

The history of Reformation in Scotland can never be complete without a mention of John Knox. He was a man of great theological depth. He was bold and confident, and that could easily give him away as an extremist. He was once quoted as saying, ‘’The sword of justice is God’s, and if princes and rulers fail to use it, others may.’’ It was not his oratory or courage, however, that troubled the ruling powers. Mary, the Queen of Scots was reportedly heard saying, ‘I fear the prayer of John Knox more than the assembled armies of Europe’’. What then is it about prayer? It is the channel established by God for spiritual battles. Our weapons of war are not physical; but they are mighty when we channel them through prayer to God. In addition, it is through quality time in prayer that we can develop a noble, godly character. Remember that in our previous meditation, we learned that purity precedes power. We gain purity in prayer; and power for exploits is the reward of such devotion.