After a most dramatic public dispute about the power to heal, the followers of Jesus asked their Master “Why couldn’t we drive out the trouble?”. Jesus’s answer was most simple and clear, and yet worrying. “This kind can come out only by prayer”. Some early manuscripts of the gospel, although not the oldest, add the words “and fasting”. Whichever, it is obvious that ‘by prayer’ means a lot more than merely mentioning it in passing as we say our prayers. It clearly means real prayer is real communication with the source of all healing, wholeness and power. It is a dynamic supernatural event.Real prayer is the power line directly in touch with the power source.This is the prayer which moves mountains.
Instead of arguing about the pros and cons of prayer – such as ‘How can you be sure it works?’ ‘Surely the world is controlled by natural laws?’ – probe our unwillingness to engage in praying.
Don’t you marvel at our prayerlessness? How little the time and space we give to it. It always goes by the board when we’ve something really important to do – like getting our breakfast, or going to work, or sport, or answering the phone, or watching TV. for hours and hours.Five minutes for God, and we’re exhausted – prayed out!
To pray expectantly is daring to believe that God has something to say to us directly in prayer and consequence if we but stop and listen. That he has promised to listen to us – to us – when we pray. Even more, listen: Jesus said:
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things that these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:12-14John 14:12-14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  

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A Thought:
After a seven year drought in Texas the churches came together to pray for rain. One young boy alone took an umbrella!

A Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray in your name, in your power, person and presence, and to be aware that you are more willing to act than we are to ask.

Now read I Kings Chapter 17, and apply it.