Prayers That Change Your Life

Without praying to invite God into our situations, we cannot overcome anything in this life; and without prayer, I would not be alive today. 

Prayer is vital to overcoming things! 

Prayer invites God into our lives, allows us to participate in God’s divine work in this world, empowers us to persevere through the difficult things in our life and enables us to achieve great things.

But what about those times in life when we ask God for something that we really believe is His will, but things don’t work out according to our prayers? Maybe you’ve prayed for a friend or relative to come to know Jesus, and they haven’t. Or maybe you’ve prayed for someone who was sick, and they still passed away despite your long hours in prayer. When these things happen it’s normal to ask ourselves, “Did I just not pray hard enough?” or “Was there a different way I needed to pray for it to work?” I have been there, my friend, and I want you to know that the answer is NO! 

No, you didn’t need to spend more time praying, and no, there were no magic words that you failed to say that would have changed the outcome.

You see, prayer is not a way to manipulate God into giving us what we want. But instead, it’s one of the tools that God uses to change us. 

Prayer is a tool that God uses to change us.

Prayer is a way for us to release control of our situations to God. In 2 Corinthians, we read that Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, and he prayed earnestly for God to take it away from him. But God responded to Paul’s prayer saying, “...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NKJV) Just like Paul, there are things we earnestly pray for God to do for us that we must let go of and give to Him. And we can, because He promises us that His grace is sufficient for us. 

Paul also tells us in Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philipians 4:6-7 (NKJV) In these verses, Paul is sharing with us a beautiful promise from God. 

God gives us peace that surpasses all understanding when we present our requests to Him in prayer and then allow Him to have control in our lives. 

Overcoming things that are going on in your life is possible when we invite God into our situations through prayer.

As my family and I were rushed to the hospital after a car accident that would forever change our lives, God placed all the Spiritual support we needed around us. A pastor from our church and another member of a local congregation were already there waiting for us as the ambulance arrived. They prayed for God's healing presence to surround us. The unknown congregant stayed by my sister's bed throughout the night to intercede for her healing. God truly provided everything we needed during our time of trouble and He will do the same for you, no matter what you are facing.

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 (NKJV)