Life Ministries

More Thoughts on Prayer
1Tim 2:1-4   

    Does prayer really change things? The answer of course, is “Yes”…I have experienced the changes that prayer can bring into a person’s life. While it is true that change is the result of prayer, the real purpose of prayer is to bring us into a closer relationship with Almighty God. Prayer would be - and is - a wonderful privilege even if nothing changed. We take our relationship with God in the wrong direction if it depends on whether or not He does what we ask of Him. In reality, our relationship with God is based on whether or not we do what He asks of us!

    The first thing we need to know is that our prayers should always be positive. We ought to always find something positive to say about the person or the circumstance for which we are praying. And, we should always remember that God is at work in every person’s life in one way or another, and we don’t know what He might be doing in their lives. We can easily destroy the work of God in a person’s life with a simple negative word or attitude. That’s why we must take to heart scriptures like “Let your speech be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer everyone”. (Col.4:1) Or, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs.” (Eph. 4:29) We should always be positive, and especially in our prayers.
    Second, our prayers ought to be personal. When interceding for others, we can reflect on how they affect us personally. When praying for the Philippian church, Paul said; “I have you in my heart…and I long to see you.” This was a personal prayer. It reflected his attitude concerning this church. Our prayers can do the same. Our prayers may reveal attitudes of love, concern, even anger, guilt, or joy…It is good to reflect our personal feelings toward someone or something…They may bring us joy or make us mad…The circumstance may also bring us joy or make us angry. We need to be honest with God. By the way, if you don’t know the person or are not personally involved; perhaps you should be! Sometimes just a phone call to let them know you are praying and why…and you are wondering if there is anything in particular you should be praying for…will change a life.
    We also need to make it a purposeful prayer. I can remember my early attempts at prayer…”Bless Mary, bless Joe, bless Oscar…”  It was prayer, and you could say it was even “positive” prayer… But, it certainly wasn’t personal or purposeful. The point is, if we don’t know what we ought to pray…maybe it’s an opportunity to find out what to pray for. Going back to Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church, he says; “I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight”…so you may be able to discern what is best…and be filled with the fruit of righteousness”…I would like someone to pray that for me, wouldn’t you?!  Do you see the purposefulness in that prayer? 
    Okay, does prayer change things? I want to give you three short answers to this question about prayer; first, the power of prayer can change circumstances;  second, the power of prayer can change perspective; and finally, the power of prayer changes us.
    Prayer has the power to change circumstances. I have experienced it myself. I’m sure you all have experienced it as well. The power of prayer can change health circumstances; the sick are healed, the lame walk, miraculous healing takes place - not only physical but spiritual and emotional healing as well. How many times have you heard stories of tragedies that were avoided because someone felt as though they needed to pray!  Look at the story of Peter in prison. The circumstance was that Peter had been arrested, put into a prison cell, to face persecution; prosecution; and even death following the Passover, but Acts chapter 12 tells us that the believers were gathered at the house of Mary - the mother of John Mark - and they were praying!  Was the circumstance changed? Yes! Did those who were praying have any idea what was happening? No!  God was changing a circumstance in which they were unable to do anything but pray…and pray they did. This is why our prayer journal is so important. Circumstances can be changed when we pray.
    Secondly, Prayer changes our perspective. 2 Kings 6:15 - “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked, “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
    It says; “Elisha prayed!” and God changed the perspective of Elisha’s servant.  Believe me when I say “When we continually pray for the people on our list, we will gain a new and different perspective of their life…their families…and their circumstances and their attitudes.  And, they may get a different perspective of the church. Take the time to find out more about them and God will help you see from a different perspective.
    Finally, prayer changes us.  I sometimes think this is the whole purpose of prayer; and it is the greatest reward of prayer.  Our faith will grow; our relationship with God will deepen; our attitudes about other people - and especially those on our list will change; our understanding of who our real enemy is will change;  We will gain compassion and patience. Many things will happen to us, because we have committed ourselves to pray! 
    We learn to rely on God. We learn to trust in His promises. His desires become our desires and our Christ-like character begins to show through. It is not our great faith that changes things; it’s our faith in a great God that changes things. We serve a LIVING GOD who has the power to answer our prayers!  And He is at work even now to change and transform. That’s the point! We are not doing this just to get those on our list in the door of the church; we are praying for God to bless them in all of these areas and change their lives!  So, pray when you feel like it; and when you don’t feel like it, pray until you do!