Prayer works. It’s true, but I find myself living as if I don’t necessarily believe that.
It’s been a cool journey to watch the connection between my head and my heart deepen with respect to the power of prayer. Of course I believe prayer works, but do my actions and my own prayer life reflect that?
I’ve been convicted that maybe I don’t give prayer as much credit as it deserves.
Scripture is saturated with testimonies of heart changes and tangible shifts in circumstance alike that come as a result of prayer. I could go on for days about why it’s important, but for the time being, I’ll just encourage you to do some research for yourself.
Prayer is fellowship. It’s communion. It’s the laying down of burdens and sitting at His feet. It’s the journey to the destination. It gives us freedom as we hand off the things that cripple us to the One who can handle them with ease. We need prayer. Like sleep or food, it’s not optional. It’s spiritual nourishment and without it, we will surely wither.
We need it for our personal wellbeing, but what about for other people? Do you believe your prayers have the power to shift an outcome?
Yesterday, we visited a home in a community where we are doing ministry this month. This community is simultaneously full of brokenness and redemption. It’s cursed with poverty and addiction, but it’s home to a community of believers who are finding their way on the path Christ has laid out for them.
Many of the people I’ve met are still in the throes of hardship, and to be honest, it appears that many of them aren’t ready to lay down their lives and be remade fully in Christ. This is why we visit homes in the area. We go to build relationships and encourage people, no matter where they are in their spiritual journey.
My teammate Emma led a Bible study for two sisters, Suku and Sheila, and we were hanging out with them over Nepali tea and biscuits afterward. As the conversation was winding down, Suku shared about some struggles she’s been facing lately.
Her son has been a momma’s boy of sorts for most of his life. He loves his mom and used to often call her to come visit him in India. From the sound of it, Suku and her son had a beautiful relationship. That is, until he got married two months ago.
From that time, her son has had a personality change that has caused a ton of hurt to his mother. She feels rejected and ridiculed by her own son. He’s hurt her with more than words, and as she shared this, I could see the desperate pain in her expression.
This kind of pain is no stranger to my own family, and we’ve walked through many of the same trials Suku is facing right now.
I remember trying to heal from all the hurt I experienced from people that I thought were supposed to love me, and I could not seem to get myself out of victimhood. He was wrong, and I deserve to hold onto that forever and ever.
The problem with that thinking is it only imprisons me, not the offender. I become trapped in my own bitterness while the other person walks free. That’s not living. That’s not what Christ wants for me.
I saw this in Suku, too. She’s so blinded by hurt that she can’t see the authority she has in this situation – the authority to fight for her son in prayer so God can change him. After all, people can’t change people. Only God can do that.
I looked at Suku’s desperation and saw an opportunity. I encouraged her to pray for her son’s heart. “If he was truly free, he wouldn’t hurt you,” I said.
And it’s true: if he was at peace, he wouldn’t cause harm to her the way he has been. He needs a heart change, and only God can make the switch.
This makes me think, what is my reaction when someone offends me? Do I respond with prayer for their peace and joy?
Maybe sometimes, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve perfected the art of forgiveness through prayer. It takes practice and a lot of it.
I am confident that God can change the hearts of people who hurt us. If we aren’t willing to pray for those people, who will?
My encouragement to you is this: Set aside your pride. Set aside the victim mentality, the “I’m right” thinking, and free yourself by laying it all at Jesus’ feet. Be free, my friend.
And finally, pray like someone’s life depends on it, because it does.
Love and blessings,
McKenzie
