I have heard the illustration of comparing the power of prayer to the engine of a car. It initially did not mean much too me until now.
"There is very little power in the key that fits a car. The car engine has power, but it does not come to life without the keys being put into the ignition" True? So true.
"The key doesn't make the power of the engine, it releases the power of the engine."
Having the keys to the car that means we have the right to the car. It also means that we are responsible for the car.
How does it link to prayer? Well, the key is the authority, the privilege and the access that God has given us. However, we have to be responsible in partnering with God in prayer. If we don't be responsible for the keys that God has given us and put it into the engine, nothing will happen.
Sometimes we misplace the keys and forget to unlock God's power. However, there is something important about the keys. The keys given to us is from God. And His keys don't fit into our private kingdom.
Most of the time when we pray, we use it for personal gain. God, help me. God, please do this for me. And after God has granted those request, we throw the key one side. We need to remember to depend on Him all the time, not only as and when we need but ALWAYS!!!
I'm not saying that it's bad. But we need to remember other people as well. It's not always about us alone but about loving and praying for others as well.
