Does prayer change anything?

August 31, 2008 (Sunday)
Does prayer change anything? God may or may not answer your prayer in just the way you want, but prayer does change things.
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).