Now let’s look at a New Testament example of a proper response to God’s Word. I sometimes ask people, what they consider to be the greatest miracle that ever took place in the life of a human being. I’ve gotten a variety of answers. Some say the raising of Lazarus after being four days in the tomb. I wouldn’t argue, but my personal feeling is that the greatest single miracle that ever took place in the life of an ordinary human being was when the virgin Mary conceived miraculously in her womb and became the mother of the Son of God.

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And how did it come about? When she said one simple phrase. When the angel told her what was ordained of God, she first said, “How can this be?” He told her the power of the Holy Spirit will overshadow you, and then she said, “Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) But in the margin of my Bible there’s an alternative translation. “No word of God shall be without power.” We should let that sink in. Every word of God contains within it the power for its own fulfillment. When Mary received, by faith, the word of God through the angel, in that word was the power for its own fulfillment. And so Mary responded, “Let it be to me according to your word.” And that ushered in the greatest miracle in human experience.

And this is what I want to convince you of. If you want the great things, if you want the “exceedingly abundantly above all that [you can] ask or think,” the answer is “according to God’s Word.” When you pray on the level of the Word, you pray on a level that is far above your own human ability to wish or to ask or to think.

Both King David’s and Mary’s responses are interconnected with the coming of the Lord Jesus. David was the great ancestor, and in the Chronicles passage we saw that God had promised him a “greater Son.” The promise was fulfilled through the birth of Jesus, conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. And notice, in each case, the key to the prayer is the same. God, You said it, so please, will You do it. You will never pray a higher or a more effective prayer than when you go to God, guided by the Holy Spirit, through the Word, find the promise that relates to you and your situation, and say, “Lord, You said it. You do it, according to Your will and for Your glory.” This is one of the great principles of effective praying.

In closing this day’s devotional, let’s summarize the seven conditions for effective praying:

1. In the name of Jesus
2. With praise and thanksgiving
3. Without condemnation – but boldly
4. With the right motive – for God’s glory only
5. In right relationships – forgiving everyone
6. Directed by the Holy Spirit
7. According to God’s Word

Points to Ponder:

• Consider what one writer called the “extravagance” of Mary’s faith (i.e., far beyond “normal boundaries; almost absurd”). While we do not compare ourselves to Mary, we must be challenged by her example of faith coupled with humble obedience. Only God’s power could perform the extraordinary Incarnation miracle. Mary’s part was in yielding herself to God’s purpose.
• In the same spirit of worship and surrender, ask God how He might want to use your life in His purposes. What is His plan? It may be some way in your home or church. God is still looking for those who will say, “… Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
• Meditate on this truth you just finished reading, “No word of God shall be without power.” Let that sink in. Continue to cultivate this truth in your prayers: Every word of God contains within it the power for its own fulfillment. This should motivate all of us to bring more of God’s Word into our prayers.
• Don’t hesitate to visit IFA’s website to avail yourself of resources to assist you as an intercessor. Read the weekly bulletins to keep abreast of all that is happening, as many join us weekly, praying for good government in America.

Complete Devotional in PDF Format Click Here!

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(Derek Prince was one of the founders of Intercessors for America. Photo Credit: doidam10 via Canva Teams)