The Power of Prayer
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.”
I waited.
I saw.
I was around 11 years old when I learned about the power of prayer, in a broken-down car, awaiting God’s answer to 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.
Prayer to the God Who Sees
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 put 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 has great power as it is working.” James 5:16b (English Standard 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, so I began praying for her to have peace. One night I told her this and she responded that she truly felt it, and asked me to continue praying.
God answers prayers–although, not always the way we want. In Tricia’s case, God healed her on December 19, 2014 when He took her home to be with Him.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
God Calls Believers to Prayer
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)
The Calling of Prayer
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.
Is Prayer Your Calling and Where to Start?
Could prayer be your calling too? Does God bring random people to your mind and heart at times? If so, it may be for you to pray for them. Here are some things that can help you get started in fulfilling your calling to prayer.
- When God brings someone to your heart and mind, call them. Check in and see what’s going on in their lives. You may discover they’re going through a hardship or loss and need prayer.
- Keep a prayer journal and devote time each day to praying over those on your list. Record when your prayers are answered.
- Ask God to reveal those that need prayer.
- Be intentional in devoting time each day to prayer,.
- While walking through your neighborhood, pray for your neighbors.
- Pray over your family members and friends.
- Pray for the protection and strength of those in ministry.
- Pray for governmental leaders and the future of our country.
- Pray for non-profits.
- Pray for your children and their future spouses.
- Lay hands on those that are sick and pray over them.
- Pray for those suffering divorce or loss.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11: 24 (ESV)
The next time God awakens you to pray be obedient. It could change someone’s life. It could change your own.
This blog post was written by Kim Williams and originally posted on January 10, 2010. Kim Williams is a teacher in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Although Kim no longer writes regularly for The Hallelujah House, she still prays fervently for those God puts on her mind and heart.
