… The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. ~ James 5:16 AMP
What are your prayers worth?
Maybe you’ve felt that they aren’t worth anything, since nothing seems to change when you pray. I’ve felt that before, especially when I didn’t see mountains move or giants fall in my life. But still, we’re told to pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Prayers don’t cost you much. You expend very little energy to say, “God, help me,” or “Save them,” or even, “Jesus, we need you.” And Jesus said your faith can be the size of a mustard seed to make things happen, because it’s not faith in the size of event, but in the One to whom you’re praying, (Matthew 17:20). Really, we don’t have anything to lose, only everything to gain, and yet we struggle to make it a priority. So, I’ll ask again: what are your prayers worth?
On Thursday evening, they were worth at least $500 and a few middle-of-the-night trips to the outhouse! While camping, there was a clog in the pipes leading to our cabin. Our friends tried to unclog it. (I’ll spare you the details of what came bubbling up out of the ground.) As they worked and worked, frustrated at the lack of results, one of the overseers came up and said to me, very sincerely, “It would help if you just prayed.” Staring down at the flood of “stuff,” I prayed, “God, could You please clear this clog…Amen.” Within a few seconds, the clog cleared up!
I wish all my prayers were answered that quickly, but the ones involving other people’s hearts and minds seem to take more time. We’ve been praying – and continue to pray – for the salvation of our nieces for the past few years. I found out just the other day that one of my nieces, after attending VBS, went home and told her mom about her “decision” and asked to be baptized!
What are your prayers worth?
A divorce costs thousands and destroys homes, lives, relationships, and trust. Praying for your spouse and children is worth at least that much!
An abortion hurts the hearts of Mom and Dad and kills the unborn baby, whose life may have touched an innumerable number of people. Praying for families, especially unwed moms and the unborn, is worth at least that much!
Studies show that roughly 85% of Christians make their salvation decision between ages 4 and 14! About 13% make their decision between the ages of 18 and 21. And another 8% make their decision between ages 22 and 29. Praying for the next generation is worth at least that much!
The Lord knows the plans He has for us, the hearts it will touch, and the lives it will change. We won’t be able to stave off every disaster, nor avoid every hurt in life, just by praying. But think about the people we can protect, the lives that will be healed, and the dangers and pitfalls we can avoid simply because we prayed.
My grandfather, my mom’s dad, has shaped many lives (including mine), inspired many people, and passed on a legacy of following Jesus, all because his mom – though she thought a lot about it – chose not to have an abortion.
What are your prayers worth to someone else?
What are someone else’s prayers worth for you?
