Accessing the Supernatural

During my atheist decades I thought Christianity was just a belief system or philosophy, like so many other man-made systems. After coming back to Jesus at age forty-seven, I realized it is actually a supernatural relationship with the Creator of the universe.

Since we are workers in His vineyard (this earth), we are to complete our assigned tasks in the power He provides via prayer. I used to think prayer was “making a wish,” but I have come to understand that it is truly “accessing the Supernatural.” Everything we do has to start with a life of continuous prayer.

Three passages in the Bible opened a window of understanding for me into the supernatural reality of prayer:

Samuel, long time leader of Israel, said in his farewell speech to them, “…far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you…” (1 Samuel 12:23 ESV) The power of prayer was so evident in all they did that he knew he’d have been guilty of sin if he had not used it for Israel’s good.

When the children of Israel were being punished for their disobedience by being led into slavery in Babylon, God told them to expect to be there a long time. He said they should, “…seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7 ESV) He was telling them they had power to influence Babylon for good or for bad, and they’d better use that power wisely, or their suffering would be even worse.

The apostle Paul wrote, “You must also help us by prayer…” (2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV) He would not have written that unless he knew that prayer works reliably with a supernatural God. He was calling on them to use God-given spiritual tools in interceding for him to the Lord, who would then provide what was needed by Paul.

Understanding the supernatural nature of our walk with God is crucial in all we do. This is not an earthly “nuts and bolts" operation. We have our work to do in partnership with Him, but everything depends on His power. If God doesn’t do it, it won’t get done. We can’t do anything in our own power, except fail. I’ve heard it said that we will fail if we try to row our own boats; we need the Holy Spirit’s wind in our sails.

“…God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29 ESV) This passage is further evidence that God uses the weak and foolish (like me) in His ministries, and we can only succeed as we obediently access the supernatural God.

Elisha, the Old Testament prophet, was a man who understood the supernatural God. In 2 Kings 6:15-17, a vast army surrounded the city where he lived and death seemed imminent. Elisha’s servant was overcome with fear: “And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” If we lived in such intimacy with God that accessing the Supernatural was always our first choice, His peace would never be absent in us.

“This is the word of the LORD…’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)