Just over a century ago, the idea of powering up was completely foreign to most people. Electricity was a growing marvel, lighting up city streets and drawing crowds in wonder, but it hadn’t yet reached most American homes. Even though the power grid was real—and revolutionizing industry—few people had access to electrical power in their daily lives. (You can listen to the podcast about this HERE or go straight to the conversation guide HERE.)
In the 1880s, centralized power stations like Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station began powering small pockets of New York City. Over the next few decades, electric lights gradually replaced gas lamps in wealthy neighborhoods and commercial buildings. But outside of those privileged areas, everyday families still lived by candlelight and cooked over open flames. By 1920, only about 35% of American households had electricity. Most homes—especially rural ones—were still in the dark. It wasn’t until the 1930s that power began to spread into smaller towns, farms, and remote communities. A rural electrification initiative helped bring power to the rest of the country—but even then, each household had to make a personal choice: Would they connect to the power grid?
Thing is, the power grid was present, but they had to choose to power up.
The Power of Prayer
Your home can sit right next to a power plant, but if you don’t connect, your house stays dark. The same is true spiritually. You can do religious things, go through spiritual motions, even talk about God’s power—but unless you connect to Him personally, your prayers will lack power.
God is God. He is almighty, strong, unlimited, and unhindered. He always has been and always will be. But what is so crazy amazing is that His real and present power is available to every Christ follower. James 5:16b tells us:
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
His power is available to US!!!! Think about it! He has all authority, and He invites us to call upon Him for that in prayer.
The Greek word for “has great power” is ischyei. It doesn’t just imply potential. It means active, effective strength—the kind of power that moves things, shakes things up, releases energy, and gets results. And this strength doesn’t come from us; it comes from God.
So, when we really lean into prayer, we engage in something that is working, prevailing, and accomplishing. And, according to this verse, prayer is that divine connection point through which God’s strength flows into our lives.
Still, just like those early households, we can live near the power without ever accessing it. We can know about God’s power—but still remain spiritually disconnected from Him. Unless we connect to our Lord God Almighty through prayer, we miss out.
The Choice to Connect
It’s easy to believe in God’s power from a distance. We’ve heard the stories. We may even have some of our own. But knowing about His power isn’t the same as living in it daily.
It’s also easy to settle for surface-level prayers—wish-list prayers, stoplight prayers, Santa Claus prayers. Most people say they believe in prayer, but few pray like their lives depend on it.
That’s the heart of “The Plugged In Prayer Life.” This kind of prayer isn’t routine or religious—it’s real connection to the Source. It’s realignment with God’s heart. It’s calling on His strength in our weakness, His clarity in our chaos, and His peace in our anxiety. It’s signing up for Him to be a continual, ongoing, relied upon source in our lives.
This kind of prayer is active, intentional, and personal. It doesn’t happen by default. You and I must choose to connect. We must choose to “Power Up.”
Power for the Righteous
James says this kind of connection belongs to the “righteous.” That doesn’t mean perfect. It means made right with God. Through Jesus, we are covered in His righteousness. So if you’ve placed your trust in Him, this verse is for you.
Your prayers matter. Your prayers are heard. Your prayers have power—because God is at work through them.
The power isn’t in how long or eloquent your prayers are. It’s not about saying all the right words. The power comes from the One who hears them. When we connect to Him, He does the work.
What It Means to Power Up
To power up in prayer means you create space for God in your everyday life—not just when times are tough. It means looking to Him when you’re parenting, asking for help when you’re worn out, and seeking His Spirit in your home, work, and heart.
Powering up is a shift from self-reliance to dependence on God. It’s less about trying harder and more about trusting deeper. It won’t remove hardship, but it will equip you with strength that is not your own.
A Conversation Worth Having
At Family Disciple Me, we believe discipleship starts with a conversation—and this is one worth having. Whether with your kids, your spouse, your small group, or in your own heart, ask:
Am I truly connected to God’s power through prayer, or am I just standing near the Source?
Let this be the week you choose to connect. Let James 5:16b be more than a verse you’ve heard before—let it be a call to action to go straight to God’s Throne Room.
Because prayer doesn’t just change your mood or your moment. It changes eternity.
So, friend…
Power Up!
Be encouraged! ❤️
Tosha
