Achieving Balance: The Power of Prayer in a Christian’s Life

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving a balanced life can often be elusive. We juggle responsibilities, face uncertainties, and battle internal fears and past heartache. Yet, the key to true balance doesn’t lie in external circumstances but within our minds. Our minds are the battlefield where victory begins, and change begins within. As believers, we’re called to align our thoughts with God’s Word, and through the power of prayer, we can cultivate a balanced mind that leads to a balanced life.

The series “The Balanced Life Through the Power of Prayer” delves into God’s gifts—power, love, and a sound mind—and how we can harness these gifts to overcome fear, walk in faith, and partner with God in His work on earth. If you are anything like me, I bet you’re thinking, “God wants to partner with me? Me? Lord, are you sure?” You may feel unqualified, but. He knows what He is getting into. Trust He will not lead us astray or set us up to fail.

The Foundation of a Balanced Mind

You cannot have a balanced life until you first have a balanced mind. Wrong thoughts affect your emotions and influence your decisions. This profound truth reminds us that our thought patterns shape our external realities. The only limitations we have are the ones we expect. The devil knows our potential, so he tries to distract us, change our focus, and make us afraid.

He wants us to be so afraid of being hurt, failing, or disappointing our Heavenly Father that we do not step out in faith. Fear overwhelms us to the point that we hesitate to boldly declare God’s word in faith, allowing it to drive us into timidity and cowardice. Praise God that those spirits are not for us! In 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV), we’re assured:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Fear can cripple us, holding us back from receiving what God has in store. If we believe we can’t do something, we’ll lack the faith-filled confidence to step out in faith. Our thoughts and choices determine who we become. Therefore, we must consciously decide which thoughts to entertain, exercising our will to focus on God’s truth rather than our fears or present limitations.

Overcoming Fear with God’s Gifts

In His infinite wisdom, God has equipped us with three powerful gifts to overcome fear and live victoriously: power, love, and a sound mind. These three gifts are crucial in overcoming fear and living a balanced life.

1. Power: This isn’t just any power; it’s divine empowerment. It’s the strength and ability to face challenges not by our might but through God’s immeasurable power working within us. Instead of measuring our problems against our abilities, we should measure them against the greatness of our God. As we stand on the firm foundation of faith, we can declare, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).
2. Love: Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). God’s love for us is perfect—not because we’re flawless, but because He is. This perfect love heals the scars of past traumas and shields us from the enemy’s attempts to wound us further. By immersing ourselves in God’s love and striving to love Him with all our hearts, we create a barrier against fear and insecurity.
3. Sound Mind: A sound mind involves clear thinking, self-discipline, discernment, and self-control. It’s a mind anchored in God’s peace, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges thoughtfully and deliberately. Instead of reacting out of fear or impulse, we respond with wisdom. Remember, God has already given us this sound mind—we simply need to embrace and exercise it.

The Importance of a Consistent Prayer Life

Prayer is the lifeline that connects us to God’s heart. It enables us to withstand the devil’s attacks, see past the distractions, and focus on what is Godly. It is so important to seek God in prayer. He wants to spend time with us every day and throughout the day. Prayer grows our relationship with God and prepares us for the challenges and opportunities the day may bring.

Throughout the Gospel, we see Jesus prioritizing prayer. He modeled the importance of a consistent prayer life:

• “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” — Mark 1:35 (NKJV)
• “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” — Luke 5:16 (NKJV)

Prayer was a priority for Jesus; it was not just something to do here and there, but often. There are three key reasons to pray often and make a habit of it:

• Communion with God: Prayer is more than a ritual; it’s intimate communion with our Heavenly Father. It’s in these quiet moments that our relationship deepens, and we become more attuned to His presence.
• Communication with the Father: As we speak to God, we also learn to listen. Prayer sharpens our spiritual ears to recognize His voice, guidance, and prompts.
• Connection with God’s Will: Consistent prayer aligns our hearts with God’s purposes. It equips us with discernment to see through the enemy’s temptations and focus on what truly matters.

Prayer isn’t a one-time event but a continuous journey. It’s about taking spiritual ground and holding it day by day. As Ephesians 6:18 (AMP) encourages:

“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit…”

Partnering with God in prayer and action

God’s incredible plan involves us—He accomplishes His will on earth through partnership with His people. Amos 3:7 (NKJV) tells us: “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

It is God’s established order that whatever he accomplishes on earth, he does so through collaboration, cooperation, and consent of men and women on earth. He wants to work with us and through us. He invites us to be laborers in His harvest. Jesus highlighted this in Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV):

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'”

The harvest symbolizes the large number of people ready to hear the truth of God. There is a great need, and Jesus asks us to partner with Him in prayer for the salvation of others. He desires our consent and participation, not our ability, to bring His plans to fruition. Jesus calls us to partner with Him in prayer, not just for the laborers, but to become laborers ourselves. Whether that is through prayer, service, giving, or simply being available, God magnifies our efforts. Our “little” becomes much in His hands.

Acting on God’s Empowerment

Every believer has a unique assignment. It’s time to seek God earnestly and to step out in faith. Don’t let distractions or fears hold you back. The enemy would love nothing more than for you to remain passive, but God has empowered you and me to make a difference. Don’t sit on what He has given you. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV) affirms that “…we are labourers together with God…” and in 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) we are called His co-workers! “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.”

When we partner with God, not only do we fulfill His purposes, but we also share in the rewards. Matthew 10:41-42 (NKJV) promises: “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward… And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water… he shall by no means lose his reward.”

When we take a stand for God, we may face opposition, but we are assured of God’s blessing and reward.

Conclusion

A balanced life stems from a mind anchored in God, cultivated through the power of prayer. It’s about embracing the gifts of power, love, and a sound mind to overcome fear and walk confidently in faith. As we maintain a consistent prayer life and actively partner with God, we become agents of change in a world that desperately needs hope.

So, place a demand on your faith. Stop being passive. Seek your assignment. And remember, be so anchored in Christ that when the boat rocks, you remain unmoved.

 

The information expressed above is excerpted from the sermon “The Balanced Life Through the Power of Prayer” preached by Dr. Lee A. Simpson. You can listen to the complete sermon on our YouTube channel.