28 January 2011

Prayer Changes Things

The saying mentioned in the title above will be familiar to many; so many more will readily tell you of the truth it represents. Prayer is such a broad subject, and yet even simple prayer is still a mystery to some. Today's thoughts follow a series of studies on prayer in our Corps Bible Study over the last few weeks.
 
Our Father in Heaven is keen to hear from us. He wants to hear about our day; our successes and failures; our frustrations and our concerns. In the same way I regularly ask my children how their day has gone at school. Sometimes there's little more than 'oh, the usual'... How wonderful when they chat away, sharing the details of their day! And if they share their concerns, how keen I am to assist if it's in my power to help... provided what they ask is good for them. 
 
So it is with God. He promises to answer our prayers if we ask them (James 4:2-3, Matthew 7:7-11). It's always within His power to help - however, sometimes in our naivety, we ask things that just wouldn't be good for us, or for others...
 
Prayer is said to change "all things". Philippians 4:6-7 states we should to "pray in all circumstances", suggesting that everything must be capable of being changed by prayer. Sometimes it only takes a change in our own attitude following time in communion with God to make a huge difference. Sometimes, persistent, concerned petition will be needed.
 
God always answers prayer. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes the answer may takes a long time to arrive. But an answer will come.
 
How do answers arrive? Here are some examples:
  • miraculously (Acts 9:40)
  • incredibly (James 5:17-18)
  • but most often through the acts of fellow Christians (Acts 28:15-16)
Perhaps you are someone else's answer to prayer today....

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