While traveling recently, I was amused by one photographer’s T-shirt which read: I can freeze time. What’s your superpower?

Wikipedia defines superpower as “a state with a dominant position, which is characterized by its extensive ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale.” Superpower assumes that we first have natural power. We may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but we can extend grace to someone who needs it. There are lots of ways that we can be physically helpful and emotionally brave in blessing others. Galatians 6:10 says “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” We may not have a cool outfit or all sorts of gadgets, but we carry the power to lend a hand, express concern, comfort those who are grieving, support people in crisis, donate to a worthy cause, make a meal for someone recovering from an injury or illness, be present with someone who is lonely, or encourage someone who feels discouraged.

None of the above acts reflect our natural inclination. We are born broken and self-centered. Psalm 51:5 says “Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. ” Yet, through the power of love, these generous acts are possible. The power of love comes from God. 1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Yet beyond showing love and what we can do in the physical realm – there are superpowers. Ways that we can traverse time and space to battle evil, loss, and destruction – to affect positive change. It is the supernatural power of prayer. It is only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that our God-given superpowers are activated. Prayer is the conduit that can bring hope to the hopeless, faith to the fearful, healing to the sick, wisdom to the confused, confidence to the uncertain, salvation to the lost, deliverance to the imprisoned, provision to the needful, courage to the timid, and protection to the vulnerable. We can not only pray for people but we can pray for situations, organizations, and entities that burden our heart.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” The best part is, we are not operating in isolation, but we have the ultimate dynamic duo – The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ – interceding for us. Romans 8:26-27 says “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” and Romans 8:33-34 says “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

As they used to say in one popular superhero cartoon “By the power of our forces combined…” we do not have to fret or be anxious about anything. When some villainous situation bothers or worries us, we need only pray about it. Phillippians 4:6-8 reminds us that we are to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

There are no limits or boundaries to the supernatural power of prayer because it is activated in the spiritual realm, then manifest in the physical realm. Ephesians 3:20-21 says “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” As we mature in our relationship with the Lord and move toward sanctification, we enjoy a lifestyle of living for the Lord rather than ourselves. We can trade-in our weary, bitter and brittle heart for a renewed, hopeful, and loving heart that only God can provide. Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This renewed heart and mind that allows us to step far beyond our natural comfort zone to exercise our superpowers to address needs in the world around us.

1 Peter 4:10-11 says “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”