Prayer Works!
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15
On Tuesday during our staff meeting, I received a message from a gentlemen named Brian Rockwell who is staying at the Saint Edna Convalescent hospital across the street from the church. He asked for a pastor and so I walked over to visit with him. Two years ago, Brian was walking across the street when he was hit by a car that left him with 14 broken vertebrae and paralyzed.
The first thing that Brian said to me was, “I’ll open in prayer and you close.” That was our introduction. To me, it was evident that Brian had a heart of prayer. And despite being paralyzed he has not given up on praying to God for healing.
Have you ever wondered if prayer really works? Maybe the Enemy, Satan, has whispered to you, “Why pray, prayer is a waste of time. Why bother! Who do you think you are, God's not even listening."
I John 5:14-15 teaches us that we should pray and ask God because God is in control.
In fact, the basis of all answered prayer is God's sovereignty. What does that mean? It means he is God Almighty, who has all power in Heaven and on Earth, so his purposes will prevail. As Christ followers, we must learn to trust his wisdom and his goodness. We must learn about his loving nature and his generous character.
We grow in our faith as we understand that God has a better view of our circumstances than we do - He knows what is best for us! Psalm 33:11 says, "But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally."
God's unlimited resources are available to each one of us. Twenty times in the New Testament it says, "ASK." Isn't it encouraging to know that things out of our control are not out of God's control? You may not be able to change a situation, but you can pray and God can change it!
Prayer works. It isn't a waste of your time. God is in control, and he wants to hear your prayers - he is listening!
Thought For Today: In your prayers, are you praying in accordance with God’s will? If God is not answering your prayers, maybe it is a good time to check and see if our prayers are in line with His will.
Today’s Prayer Focus: What is on your heart and mind today? Take time to pray confidently to the Sovereign Lord. Pray for Brian who wants to attend our church. Deo Volente.