We were sitting in our living room, looking at each other. Each of us was pondering health crises, losses, uncertainties, and other circumstances we are all faced with at one time or another.

A question arose, “Does it matter if we pray?” That kind of question will silence you for a bit, especially if your prayers feel unanswered.
I believe it does matter if we pray.

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16b ESV

Over and over in Scripture, we read how prayer made a difference in the outcomes of situations. Over and over in my life, I can testify how prayer made a difference in my circumstances.

Prayer changes things.

When Moses prayed for God to not send the Israelites forward without His presence, God answered Moses prayer,

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.’” Exodus 33:17 ESV

Prayer changes things.

When Paul and Silas were thrown in prison and decided to pray and sing, about midnight, God suddenly showed all of them Who controlled Paul and Silas’ lives.

Prayer changes things.

When Jesus prayed if it would be possible for the cup of the cross to pass from Him, nevertheless, not as He wills but as God wills…

Jesus’ prayer changed everything. For all of eternity. For you and me. For all who accept His offer of salvation.

My life is a testimony to how prayer changes things.

This scary, insecure little girl was in Satan’s scope. He was setting me up for a fall. My parents divorced when I was nine. My dad was uninvolved in my life. Add in molestation by a friend’s dad, and I was a prime target for Satan’s evil plans. But I had a praying momma and praying grandparents. God continues to work His good plan in my life.

You have a similar testimony. You, too, can look back over your life, in the good times and bad, and see how God’s hand was and still is working on your behalf.

In considering the verse in James 5:16, I don’t have all the answers. Why are some prayers answered yes and some no? I don’t know.

What I do know is that God has promised that He hears them and that He has a great plan for our lives. God has also promised that our pain will never be allowed for pain’s sake. It is always with eternity in mind. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He will make our good and bad work together for our good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Prayer exercises our faith muscles. When we can’t see God working, we stand on faith that He is working on our behalf.

“Prayer is the mightiest agent to advance God’s work. Prayer succeeds when all else fails. Prayer has won great victories, and rescued, with notable triumph, God’s saints when every other hope was gone.” E.M. Bounds

What thing do you have in your life that needs change? Can you, will you believe that prayer can change your thing? Do you have even a little mustard seed faith that God is bigger than the elephant sitting in your life?

God’s thing is to heal your thing.
We believe God hears our prayers and is sending our answer.

I’m believing with you!
Carmen

Lord, I pray for every person reading my words today — the words You have sent through my hands. Hear our prayers. Heal our bodies. Comfort our hearts. Direct our steps. Help us feel Your presence, Lord, in such a profound, personal way. Permeate our life with your peace. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!

Carmen Horne is an author, Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach, and speaker who uses her gifts to encourage women. She is passionate about supporting women through life’s challenges as they learn to draw on God’s power and a dynamic relationship with Jesus to change their perspective on the unexpected. 

Carmen is a beach sitter and dark chocolate nibbler. Her family calls the Bayou State home. 

You can connect with Carmen online at: CarmenHorne.com