We’ve been observing that God chooses to do his work by co-laboring with us. Sometimes that takes the form of prayer on our part, releasing God’s power into a situation. Sometimes he wants us to move out in faith as the Israelites did in crossing the Red Sea. Other times he may want us to take a symbolic action.

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5.14, NIV, emphasis mine)

Here’s a simple illustration involving God’s power and our prayer. I’m sitting in my den, and when I walked into the room, I switched on the overhead light. Did the light come on because I threw the switch? No, the light came on because:

• There is a wire running from the switch to the light fixture.
• The bulbs in the light fixture are in working order.
• There is electricity coming into the house from the outside.
• That electricity is wired to the switch and the light fixture.

However, even with all that infrastructure and power, the overhead light won’t come on UNTIL I throw the switch.

Is prayer like that?

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7.7, 8, NIV)

Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it. Thus says the Lord GOD: “This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock.” (Ezekiel 36.36, 37, ESV) [God’s power…waiting for Israel to ask]