The Power of Prayer

Throughout my life, the topics I've learned about in church never really seemed relevant to each other (if that makes any sense). Like, obviously they're relevant because it's God's Word and it's truth, but from week to week they never really felt connected to me. The last several months though, one idea has been very prominent no matter what the lesson may be, and it's one that has stuck with me in a way that many other ideas don't: the power of prayer. Sounds like a pretty basic idea, right? I mean, how complicated could it be?

Well, it's not that prayer is complicated. For me, it's that prayer has always been a splotchy area; I pray before meals (most of the time) and before bed (if I don't fall asleep in the middle of them), but I've never been good at remembering to pray throughout my day, just one little piece at a time. It doesn't have to be much more than that- and I can pray for myself or anyone around me.

The idea of the power of prayer has come up again and again lately in church. Stories have been told, and you can hear these stories from many people, about how prayer was a miracle for them; that someone was healed, or spoken to by God in a dream, or just given hope to keep living. And every time I heard about the power of prayer, I thought to myself, "Man, I wonder what my prayers could do for someone" , you know? Like how could someone I may or may not know be impacted because I said a prayer for them? How have I been healed or strengthened due to someone else praying for me? This was such a humbling thought.

So, I started praying more. This doesn't mean I've been praying better. But I have been remembering the verse in Philippians 4:6 that says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Present your requests to God. God wants to hear what's on our hearts, He wants to hear our requests, He wants us to give Him our concerns and fears and dreams. I've never been great with this, because I figured that I didn't need to pray for certain things because God already knows my heart. But that doesn't mean He doesn't want me to ask for whatever I need. And that's what I've been trying to do, not just for myself but for people around me as well. Sometimes, I just ask Him, "God please help me get through this class without complaining; help me shine Your light." That's all it takes, and that's what He wants. Every time we reach to Him, through prayer, His presence is that much stronger in our hearts. I've also been trying to pray for certain people right as they pop into my mind.

Romans 12:12 is an encouraging reminder when it feels our prayers are going to waste: "[Love is] joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer," I often feel that my prayers aren't being heard because I don't see any change or difference in those I'm praying for. But through this little journey, I've seen a change in my own heart. See, the more you pray for others, put them before yourself, the less concerned you are with all the 'needs' of your life. It reminds you that everyone struggles...and that just because someone messed up doesn't mean they're a bad person or unworthy of the effort of your prayer. It's humbling to see healing in my own heart can occur by praying for someone else. It just changes your whole attitude.  


It's hard for me to watch friends falling away from what they seemed to believe for so long. And in my heart, I really want to fix these situations. But I can't. That is God's job. When I want to try and rebuild those bridges or mend those friendships, I have to remember that it's all in God's timing. When I know someone's hurting, and that they need encouragement, but I can't get to them, I can pray. That has probably been my biggest revelation in this: it doesn't really matter what I can't do for someone, as long as I do what I can with all the love in my heart. I can only pray for certain people I know, but I know that if I do this with love, and genuine effort, that's all God needs to see. I know my job is to show others love, so if prayer is my only means of doing that, then I'm good to go.

I have to remind myself not to grow weary in this habit of prayer (2 Corinthians 8:11-12, 9:6-7, and Galatians 6:9), because eventually it will produce a result. And I have to remember that there is no stupid, irrelevant, unimportant prayer to God. Colossians 4:2 tells us to devote ourselves to prayer.

Remember that life is not about being perfect. It's about our heart and our efforts. You don't have to sit and pray for two straight hours every day. But little snippets here and there really can make a big difference in your heart and attitude. There really is amazing power in prayer.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18