The Power of Prayer

James, the brother of our Lord, wrote: “…confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

I am convinced there is power in prayer, but I’m also convinced that many of us use it much like we use the spare tire in the trunk of our car – just in cases of emergency. But prayer should be the pulsation of the Christian faith. It should be an expression of reverence, gratitude, and the felt presence of God. We can never pray too much (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18).

Perhaps we don’t pray as often as we should because we’re not sure how to pray. Most of our prayers are offered in strange language (thee and thou), and filled with oft repeated words and phrases that lack real meaning in today’s world. Jesus offered some much needed direction regarding this matter (Matthew 6:5-7).

Prayer should be the expression of the heart, and the representation of our unique personality. I read somewhere that Sam Houston, before going into battle, stopped his troops and said, “Men, it will soon be morning and we will engage the enemy beyond  those hills. I want each man to pray.” One old Texan knelt by his horse and said, “Lord, if it be your will, help us whip those Mexicans, but if it isn’t your will, lay low ’cause you’re going to see the biggest fight you ever saw.”

Then there was the little girl who heard a sermon entitled, “Is God Dead?” When she said her prayers that evening they included the following request, “And please, God, don’t die, because if you do we’re all sunk!”

The earnest and fervent prayer of a sincere heart is not without power. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice rise like a fountain for me night and day” (Tennyson). Remember, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

— Roger