In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as dynamis, which means power. Jesus tells his disciples before his Ascension that “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
When we receive the Holy Spirit into our life as our inner resource, we become living beings of God’s great power on earth. That power is given us for the one purpose of accomplishing his will on earth.
We access this power through prayer. Like His great power, prayer is God’s gift to us. Prayer invites God into our life and work and makes us more conscious of his presence and power in the world. Our praying connects us to the energy and will of God. Our praying opens the floodgates for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven through us.
The apostle Paul believed this to be true and desired the Ephesian church and every Christian church today to understand more clearly the purpose of God’s gifting us with His Holy Spirit and power.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:18-21).
Now, slowly read those verses again, thinking deeply about each phrase.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked,
not only in the present age
but also in the one to come.”
Wow! I confess I still have much to learn about this glorious inheritance of hope, power, and prayer.
In 1880, a Christian couple, George and Sarah Clarke, purchased the lease for the Pacific Beer Garden in Chicago. Promptly dropping the word Beer, the couple added the word Mission, and launched a ministry to homeless alcoholics and downtrodden men and women. Thus began the Pacific Garden Mission of Chicago.
George and Sarah Clarke bore the cost of the mission themselves, but as expenses grew and the ministry expanded, their funds ran low. Eventually the day came when they could not pay the rent. Attempts to secure the needed funds failed, and the Clarkes were told they had only 24 hours to make the payment. Otherwise, the Clarkes would lose their lease and the Pacific Garden Mission would be closed.
Throughout the night, the couple prayed, asking God to guide and to provide in his own way and time. They reminded the Lord of the souls being saved each night, and the many men and women whose lives were being salvaged. They asked God why they should find themselves in such straits while trying to do his work. However, committed to trusting God and not questioning, they continued in prayerful faith and earnest pleading throughout the night.
When they emerged from their Morgan Park house that morning, they gasped. What had happened to their front yard? It was covered with something white, something that instantly reminded them of the manna of the Old Testament. Looking closer, they discovered their lawn was filled with mushrooms of excellent quality, which was very mysterious because it was not the season for mushrooms.
Gathering the crop, the Clarkes carted the mushrooms down the street and sold them to the chefs at the Palmer House, the famed hotel just off Michigan Avenue, for a large price. The money they received was enough to pay the rent, with enough left over to meet other ministry expenses. This miracle enabled the Pacific Garden Mission to continue with its life-changing ministry in the community.
Some persons may choose to discredit such stories of answered prayer, but I choose to believe because I agree with the Apostle Paul that God offers “his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Prayer is God’s gift to us, a gift of privilege and power, which is of tremendous value in today’s demanding world. To be privileged to come into the presence of the “Almighty God” as his children, and to speak with him as “Our Father” is an amazing privilege of unimaginable worth.
Where are you going for replenishment of strength and courage? Where are you seeking for wisdom and discernment?
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 11, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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