The other day, my daughter told me about someone she knew who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer and was facing some radical surgery. But my daughter said that, when her friend went to have a pre-op examination, the cancer was gone. There was no trace of it, even in her blood. She characterized her healing as God’s answer to the prayers of many people. Thank God, I have had the privilege of seeing and hearing about some very amazing answers to prayer, like this one.
Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us. What’s more, it’s essential for our spiritual growth and vitality. When we don’t pray, we grow spiritually weaker and more vulnerable to attacks from the Enemy. But, when we pray often, we feel less stress and more confidence. We cope with difficulties better and our lives are more productive.
Why is that? It’s because good prayer brings us face-to-face with God, and there’s nothing like that proximity. We absorb His love, joy, and peace that radiate from His being. We find strength, wisdom, and guidance when we get close to Him. And, His presence overpowers the forces of the Evil One. Consequently, He gives us the ultimate victory in life when we are with Him.
Though we should include God in all our activities, prayer is an intimate fellowship that makes our relationship with Him better. It gets better, one prayer at a time. It’s not a ritual or a chore; it’s a special privilege. We should embrace it with reverent gratitude.
Not only does prayer benefit us, but also it blesses others for whom we pray. Of course, those prayers for sick or troubled people actually help them. Plus, they bring us great joy, when we see them answered. Answered prayer encourages us because we see goodness triumph. It strengthens our faith because we realize that God is still on His throne.
As an essential, powerful tool from God, we should use prayer for His purposes. We should pray to the Lord from our hearts for good purposes. Not only pray for ourselves, but also pray for others. James reminds us that The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV). And Peter quotes the psalmist, For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12 NIV)
Our personal prayers and our good works for Christ can make a difference in our little part of the world. God can use us to help one person or one family or one church or one community at a time. Eventually, we will leave a legacy of godliness by our prayers and good deeds.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil
Copyright © 2010 Philip Walter