We say it all the time.
But what does that phrase really mean to you?
“You’re in my prayers.”
Do you write that in the comments section of a Facebook post when a friend loses a loved one?
When someone tells you they are struggling with unemployment, marital issues, infertility, or cancer, and asks for prayer, do you say “Yes, of course”?
If you’re being honest, how often do you then stop, take time out of your day to sit with the Lord and present your requests to Him? (Philippians 4:6)
The phrase gets thrown around in conversation as a mere response rather than an action.
If I’m honest, I used to be that person.
I can’t explain why. Maybe it was laziness. Or maybe I just didn’t realize it was important to actually pray.
Before the World Race, my prayers consisted of reciting a couple sentences at the beginning and end of my day and maybe at weekly bible study.
Did I really not believe that prayer had power? Surely it has to have power!
If it didn’t, why would the phrase “You’re in my prayers” be one of the first things we say to someone when they go through difficult times?
It’s almost instinctual when a situation is clearly out of our control to call upon the Lord for strength and comfort.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
So why don’t we pray more often?
In the small town of Guija, Mozambique, the Lord revealed to me the truth: My prayers DO matter and they DO make a difference.
“…The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b)
We were walking from house to house being greeted by those laying on their straw mats outside their one room huts (made out of sticks and mud).
Walking to the surrounding villages to pray over people we would meet.
“What good is this doing? How am I really making an impact on this person’s life?” I would think to myself as they look up at me and extend a hand to signal that they are hungry, “When all I do is place a hand on their shoulder and pray?”
Pray for what? For Rain? For crops to grow? For work for the many without jobs? For money? Food? The problems seem insurmountable.
Try to imagine an older, frail woman sitting on a straw mat attempting to crack open the very hard marula nut with a hammer to eat a very small nut inside, because she can’t afford any other food.
“What difference am I really making?” I would ask as I reach out and take the hand of the man who is blind from cataracts who can’t see me and pray for provision and healing over him, but then just turn around and walk away.
It seemed like sickness and death were all too common. Many of the people we visited were “on the program” which is a politically correct way of saying they are suffering from HIV/AIDS. A majority of the people we visited have lost loved ones recently to that or other diseases. And many others suffer from blindness from untreated cataracts or other ailments.
Typical home consisting of wood and mud (and tarp to patch it after a storm).
“What am I really doing here?”
It was very difficult to leave them feeling like there wasn’t anything I could tangibly do for them to improve their situation.
But I prayed for them.
Every day.
When I woke up.
As I approached their mud huts and as I walked away.
During my quiet time with the Lord and as I fell asleep.
I prayed for them.
And do you know what happened???
I saw a woman who lost her hearing years ago from constant ear infections, hear and respond to us.
I saw a woman who was crippled on the floor in pain, who gave her only money for medicine to a man who took it and never came back, that we feared wouldn’t make it through the night, stand to greet us the very next day as if it had never happened.
I saw hope through the eyes of a blind man, who believed my prayers had the power to heal him.
I realized that when I said “You’re in my prayers” and actually took the time to lift them up in prayer, it was (and is) the most impactful and lasting thing we can do for them – long after we leave.
Believe your prayers have POWER!
“…The prayer of a righteous person
has great power as it is working.”
(James 5:16b)
So say “You’re in my prayers!”
Then stop and pray for them!
You won’t regret doing it!
Let God show you what He can do!
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22)
The woman who’s hearing was restored after we prayed. Praise God!
