The Power of Prayer
Sheryl Black Chai (Tennessee, USA)
Pray continually. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
There was a period of three years in my life when I faced the loss of my mother-in-law to cancer, the death of a dear aunt, and the reality that I would never give birth to a child. One Sunday morning while listening to prayer requests in church, I heard someone say, “Our prayers are working.” It angered me to hear those words. My prayers had not been answered. Were my prayers even heard? Why would the prayers of other believers be answered but not mine?
It took some time, but I came to realize that though my prayers did not reverse the outcomes of those situations in my life, my prayers did change me.
Prayer helped me deal with the passing of loved ones and encouraged me to love those who are here with me better. Prayer gave me the ability to open my heart and mind to the possibility of adoption; my husband and I now share our life and home with a beautiful son. God did hear my prayers.
The answers to our prayers may not be what we have hoped, but there will be answers. Do not give up on prayer; it is working.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, help us to believe that you hear us when we pray and to trust that you will answer. Amen.
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TODAY'S READING
Psalm 66:16-20
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Prayer draws me closer to God.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those who feel God is not listening
Responses