Prayer—the Greatest Tool We Have

“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).

No greater heartache occurs than when one of our children is suffering or experiencing a tough trial. One father knew all too well what this was like as he brought his demon-possessed child to Jesus. Desperate for help, he said, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” As Jesus heard his words, He responded by saying, “If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.” The man immediately cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:22-24).

So often our lives are like this story. We desperately need Jesus to act on our behalf, but we question if He really can. During one particular time in my life, I became so discouraged with my surroundings that my prayer life began to suffer. I was allowing what I could see (my circumstances) to shake my hope, instead of calling on my faith to allow God to strengthen me. After this revelation, everything began to change for the better. “For we are called to walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The more time we spend in God’s Word getting to know Him, the more our faith will grow. And as it blossoms, our prayer life will take on an entirely different view. We will begin to pray from a place of hope instead of from a place of unbelief.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Prayer is one of the greatest tools we have. God loves to spend time not only listening to His children in prayer, but also answering them as well. Wherever you find yourself today, do not stop praying. Keep seeking, keep knocking, and keep believing. For God will move on your behalf, according to His perfect will, in His perfect timing. 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).Tweet

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.”—Corrie ten BoomTweet

Additional readings: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 John 5:14