Does Prayer Work?

The original band of disciples one day said to the Lord, “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus subsequently taught a prayer outline of sorts that we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Our Catholic friends refer to it as “The Our Father.”  A breakdown of this prayer -- verse by verse -- reveals many different aspects of God’s character and how we as believers can tap into heaven’s resources.

If these disciples needed to learn how to pray, we too need to learn.  Although the best prayers come from the heart, we still need to pray according to God’s Word and His will.  

My friend, prayer is much more than a command or even a suggestion; it is a privilege to pray.  When we mix our faith with prayer based on God’s Word, heaven responds! When our faith declarations line up with the Word and come into agreement with what God has already promised, we stand on solid ground.  

Do you need peace?  Then let “the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your heart and mind” (Philippians 4:7).

Do you need healing”   Then declare today -- this moment -- that “He is the Lord who heals” (Exodus 15:26).

Do you need provision?  Then pray, “My God shall provide all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

We are asked to pray, not because God isn’t aware of our situation.  We are asked to combine our faith with heaven’s intentions. When we pray, we invite heaven to come to earth.  “Let your kingdom come, and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We invite heaven to kiss the earth!  During this Coronavirus pandemic, we are asking the Lord to allow what’s in heaven to fill the earth. Heaven has no sickness, so we are asking the Lord to touch down on the earth with healing and to destroy the virus. 

I need not beg the Lord when I pray.  After all, He knows what I “have need of before I pray” (Matthew 6:8).  We pray because we understand that our faith pleases God. Prayer keeps us dependent on the Lord!  Selfishness dies in the midst of concerted prayer. It’s His kingdom, not ours!

Keep praying and keep believing!