Prompt Title: Prayer Power and Redemption

As a pastor, it is important to understand the power of prayer and the role of redemption in our prayers. The Bible teaches that our access to the Father is through the atoning death and continuing advocacy of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:34) [2]. This means that we approach the Father in Jesus's name and come "with confidence" because we're "in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11-12) [2].

Prayer has two essential functions. The first is worship, as with all prayer. The second is a discipline to help us attain command of our wandering minds and produce calmness so the Holy Spirit can work through us and help us live the virtues in communion with God [1]. It is important to remember that prayer is not just a one-way communication with God, but rather a conversation where we listen to Him and obey His Word.

The Bible warns us that if we turn away from hearing the Law and refuse to practice the dictates of the Divine law, even our prayer shall be an abomination (Proverbs 28:9) [3]. This means that if we do not live according to God's commands and principles, our prayers will lack the element that alone can make it acceptable.

The Jesus Prayer, also known as The Prayer, is a short formulaic prayer, esteemed and advocated especially in Eastern Christianity. The prayer is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner" [4]. The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Orthodox Church. The ancient and original form did not include the words "a sinner," which were added later [4].

The Bible defines redemption as the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil, and the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt (Isaiah 44:22; Ephesians 1:7) [10]. It is through the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, and we have access to the Father. Prayer is made efficacious all the time by the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26) [2].

Therefore, as a pastor, it is important to remind our congregation that our prayers are powerful because they are based on the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ made efficacious all the time by the Holy Spirit. Let us approach the Father in Jesus's name, with confidence, and remember to live according to His commands and principles so that our prayers may be acceptable in His sight.