by Pete Johnson Prayer is extremely powerful.  God is teaching me that right now—theoretically and practically.  Here is a powerful commentary on prayer from Jennifer Kennedy Dean from her book Live a Praying Life.  The passages below have recently encouraged and challenged me.  I believe that it will be a blessing to all.  "Prayer is spiritual work.  What do I mean by that?  In the material realm, the definition of "work" is "to use energy to create change".  Everything I do that uses energy to create change falls under the category of "work".  In the spiritual realm, prayer is how energy is released to create change.  Remember James 5:16?  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  Prayer changes the spiritual realm, and the spiritual realm changes the material realm.  Because prayer has its first effect in the spiritual realm, a reality that cannot be observed with the physical senses, there is a period of time when, from the earth, it appears that prayer isn't changing things.  This is because it is doing spiritual work.  Wait until the time is fulfilled, when everything is ripe.  That's when the kingdom of heaven will be revealed to your senses.    Many people mistake prayer for passive activity.  Some think that prayer is what you do when there's nothing left to do but pray.  My friend, get this deep in your spirit:  prayer is the work.  Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in.  We're not talking about just "saying prayers".  This is living prayer.  Let's examine a well-known, much-quoted scripture and see what it has to say about prayer as an offensive strategy."  A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  (Ephesians 6:10-18).  

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