The Power of Prayer

Gandhi once said, "Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action."

Wow. That's all I can say. Couldn't have put it any better.

If you are at all familiar with Casting Crowns, you may have heard their song, "What If His People Prayed." That song is based off of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

So, what is prayer? According to the dictionary, prayer is "a spiritual communication with God or an object of worship, as in thanksgiving, adoration, or confession."

James 5:13-16 says:
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call all the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well, the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

So what does that tell us? It tells us to pray. It seems simple, right? It says to rejoice in the good times, and pray in our times of need.
Who do you go to when you have a problem? A boyfriend/girlfriend? Youth leader? Parent? Friend? Why not go to God first? So much of the time we want a direct answer...we want the easy way out. He wants us to come to Him. Even if you aren't going to sit down and "discuss" your problems with Him, you can simply pray that whomever you are going to for advice gives you what you need. I know personally that I've never prayed for whomever I'm taking my problems to.

Prayer is something that I constantly struggle with in my faith walk. I always seem to forget. I don't force it to be a habit. I didn't grow up in a family that prayed before meals...or even together for that matter. I just always seem to forget to pray.
A few years back a youth leader gave me this idea and I do it whenever I feel like I'm hitting a dry patch when it comes to my prayer life.
I get a bracelet (it can be yarn tied around your arm) or a ring. Simple, eh? Every time I look at that bracelet or ring, I pray. I stop whatever I'm doing and sit in silent prayer. Even if its just for a second. Simple as that.

Blessings,

Faith

P.S.-I would love to hear your ideas. Your opinions on what I post or thoughts for upcoming posts. You are always welcome to comment on here, email me, send me a Facebook message, or text me. Your thoughts, opinions, and prayers are always welcome!