August 29, 2019 (Thursday)
Does prayer change anything? God may or may not answer your prayer in just the way you want, but prayer does change things. Jesus said we should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1)
Prayer always changes us. Prayer keeps us tapped into a spiritual dimension, and lifts our thinking to a higher plane. Our lives are renewed, our faith is increased, and our focus is shifted from ourselves to the world around us and others who are in need of help.
Prayer frequently changes others. God works in the lives of those for whom we pray. When we pray for others, we tend to become involved in small or great ways in their lives. When people know that someone is concerned about them, the knowledge of that lifts their spirits and gives them incentive to keep pursuing their goals.
Prayer sometimes changes circumstances. We are told in the Bible that nothing is impossible with God. An example of that truth is described in the Book of Acts when Peter was released from prison against all odds, in answer to the prayers of the church. Miracles sometimes happen. Even when they don’t, we learn to trust God in hard times when we never give up on prayer.
God answers prayer. Sometimes His answer is, “Yes;” at other times it may be, “No,” or “Wait.” Keep on praying. Keep on trusting the Lord. May our prayer be, “I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15).
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
B.B. McKinney
Chorus:
Prayer changes things,
Prayer changes things,
When the world is cold and blue,
Trust in Jesus, pray it through,
Victory will come to you,
For prayer changes things.
Verses:
When the dark shadows come over you,
Bringing troubles you never know,
Trust in the Savior and pray it thro’,
For prayer changes things.
Prayer will bring peace when the days are long,
Turn your sighing into a song,
It will bring victory over wrong,
For prayer changes things.
Pray for the wanderer at your door,
Pray for lost ones the wide world o’er;
Jesus will save them forevermore,
For prayer changes things.
Pray and take courage thro’ weal or woe,
In life’s battles on earth below;
Pray with a faith that will not let go,
For prayer changes things.
This is an outline of a sermon I have preached many times (most recently August 11), with repeated presentations in the same churches. It became a blog in 2008. Recorded music of this song doesn’t appear to be available on the internet, but the verses make up a beautiful poem nonetheless.