This week, we welcome Betty Ost-Everley as a guest blogger. Betty is a Senior Administrative Assistant and an authentic woman who loves to create in the kitchen, through arts and crafts and through her writing. Betty is also a prayer warrior who studies about prayer and then practices what she’s learned. Today, she reminds us about the heavenly partnership we have in prayer.

Recently, I’ve started reading the works of Rev. E. M. Bounds, a little known minister during the Civil War era. The words Rev. Bounds penned well over a hundred years ago are still meaningful today.

Prayer is powerful and moves a willing God. And we need to be a praying people.praying_hands_bible

Bounds paints a picture of God that helps contemporary Christians understand more about prayer. “Nothing is more important to God than prayer in dealing with mankind. But, it is likewise all-important to man to pray. He who does not pray, therefore, robs himself of God’s help and places God where He cannot help man. Man must pray to God if love for God is to exist.”

Prayer affects three different spheres of existence: the divine, the angelic and the human. It puts God, the angels and man to work; therefore, it is a heavenly partnership. It’s simple. Prayer influences God to work.

“And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15 Amplified).

Because God sees and knows our hearts, our sincere prayers propel Him to action. We must believe in the power of God and His desire to hear and answer the heart cries of His children.

However, after praying, our work is only half done. Then we must trust. Prayer is faith resting in, acting with, leaning on and obeying God.

That is why God loves to hear our prayers. Prayer puts all the power into His hands. This is why he so highly esteems those who pray fervently.

Are you praying in partnership with God? Are you praying always and everywhere?

Join me in renewing your prayer life. The world is depending on you.

© 2012 Betty Ost-Everley