Stranded on a country road, I’d asked my mother, “What good is prayer going to do anyhow?”

She shot me her look, “You just wait and see,” she said.

I waited. I saw.

I was around 11 years old when I learned about the power of prayer, in a broken-down car waiting for God to answer my mother’s plea for help. After a few minutes, an elderly gentleman showed up with a can full of gas. It turned out, we had a broken gas gauge and gas was all we needed to get back on the road. We didn’t know that…but God did. Looking back, I know God has since been teaching me a life-long lesson on the importance of prayer.

Although, I admit there have been many times I’ve doubted God would answer my prayers. One of the lowest points in my life was during my divorce. I felt abandoned not only by my husband, but by my Heavenly Father. On one particular night, overcome by the sadness of my predicament, I thought God had forgotten about me. I glanced at my cell phone and received a message from a friend in Nashville, Tennessee named Laurie who knew my situation. At that time, I lived in Hawaii which placed miles and a five-hour time difference between us. She texted she was praying for me. I thanked her before confessing I felt God had forgotten about me.

“Kim,” she texted back. “He woke me up at 4 am to pray for you.” Her admission made a lasting impression on me. Throughout those painful months, I thought about it many times, as I still do. The God of all creation loved me enough to wake someone up to pray for me. God called Laurie to pray and she obeyed.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b (New International Version)

During my divorce a friend named Tricia Baines who was like a little sister to me was dying from breast cancer. I’d prayed so long for God’s healing I no longer knew what to pray for. I began praying for her to have peace. One night on the phone I told her I prayed God would give her peace. She told me she truly felt it and asked me to keep praying. Philippians 4:7 states, “And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

God answers prayers. Although, not always the way we want. In Tricia’s case, God did heal her on December 19, 2014 when He took her home.

 

Sometimes, God calls us to pray.

More recent, an acquaintance of mine who was pregnant, experienced a terrible car accident. I don’t know her well, so it surprised me when God kept me awake through the night praying for her and her baby, as did others. Through incredible odds, she and her unborn child survived that accident. She continues to heal while holding her new infant. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

God continues to teach me about prayer. Quite often, I’m the one in need of it. Everyone who’s accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has a calling or a special life assignment from God, for some it’s teaching the Word, others it may be to visit the sick, or minister to children, I know my calling is in prayer. God began teaching me about its power through my godly mother when I was 11 years old on a road; and just like that rural road, it’s a solitary, quiet calling, without accolades or a podium, but its power is rooted in a God who listens and is faithful.

“Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11: 24 (NIV)

 Introducing Kimberly Williams Standridge–one of our content writers at The Hallelujah House. Kimberly’s passion for ministry is in prayer. She feels this is God’s calling on her life. When she’s burdened for others, she quietly becomes a prayer warrior on their behalf. This article includes some examples of her amazing photography. She is the owner of Sunrise Photography. If you’d like anyone to pray for you at the Hallelujah House please feel free to contact us via email.

 

Tammy’s Note: If you’re in a season of doubting in the power of prayer, keeping a prayer journal is a great tool to use, and something you can later show your children to reveal how God has answered prayers in your own life.

I purchased a great one from the girls at www.coffeeandbibletime.com.

A great movie to watch about the power of prayer is The War Room which can be purchased on DVD from Amazon by clicking here: The War Room.

And a great book on the power of prayer is by Max Lucado, Before Amen which can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here: Before Amen.