Do My Prayers Make a Difference?
Unless I believe God’s Word is for me personally, it really lacks the power to make a difference in my life. For example, I may believe that God so loved the whole world that He gave Jesus, but if I don’t grasp that He truly loves me as an individual, it won’t impact my life fully. It’s exactly the same for prayer. The Bible says that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16), so I agree that prayer for the righteous man or woman is powerful. But do I really believe that my prayer is powerful, that I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21)? If you are struggling with this, or just need a refresher, I hope the following story will help encourage you as to the effectiveness of your prayers.
While visiting my son in Dallas recently, we turned on the TV one afternoon to find live coverage of the slow-speed chase of an 18-wheeler through the streets of the city. It was slow-speed because the police had already shot out the front tires, leaving nothing but rim on which to steer the truck. A gun-wielding man had hijacked the truck and its female driver, who was taking the truck wherever he directed. Throughout the next 2 ½ hours, we watched the saga unfold as the police managed to keep them on the road until they were on the other side of Ft. Worth in the middle of nowhere, at which time they shot holes in the engine block, forcing the truck to stop. We had been praying occasionally as we watched, but hadn’t made a concerted effort to intercede. Once the truck stopped and the man forced the woman through the curtain into the sleeping area of the truck, the TV stations went back to regular programming, since they didn’t know how long the standoff would last. We uttered brief prayers, turned off the TV, and went on about our lives.
After some time, thoughts of the woman in danger for her life right at that moment became so strong that I could think of nothing else, so I said to my son and his girlfriend, “We’ve got to pray for that woman.” We united in prayer until we felt the urgency of the need lift. Just before we finished, I declared several times, “Now!” which my son’s girlfriend clearly heard. My son, however, heard me say (by the Spirit), “Deploy now!” As soon as we finished praying, we turned on the TV to find that the police had just deployed, opening the doors of the cab and shooting in tear gas, forcing the hostage and the gunman out – but peacefully, not at all like what had been expected by the commentators. We rejoiced in awe of what God had done!
As I reflected on this the next day, I grasped some prayer principles more deeply than ever before. I know it was only God’s intervention that made the difference in the outcome of this situation. I also know that there were many more than the three of us praying that afternoon and at that moment. But I know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit used our prayer to unite with the other prayers to bring the situation to a peaceful end. I am amazed when I realize that I had such a critical part to play in this. By the same token, I also wonder what the outcome would have been if I had not responded to the Spirit’s nudging to pray. It was critical that the prayer happen right then, not 5 minutes later, for both of their lives were at stake, and God wanted to keep them alive. How many times have I ignored the stirring of the Spirit to pray, or have just put it off until it was more convenient for me, and negatively affected the outcome of something going on that might have needed just one more person praying for that breakthrough? I shudder to think of the lives that could have been different if I had responded promptly with prayer. I thank God for His great mercy for all the times I have grieved His Spirit in this way, forgetting that my life is not about me, but about God and His purposes.
I want this moment of my life to be forever etched in my memory, so I will never again take lightly the call of the Holy Spirit to pray. It won’t always be a life or death situation for that very moment, but my prayer might help give God’s direction to decisions that are being made at that moment which will affect someone’s eternal destiny. All He asks of me is to pray when He calls until I know I have finished what He has for me to do right then. Will I always see the answer to my prayers so quickly? No, but the important thing to remember is that prayer, even my prayer all by myself, is truly powerful when I pray by the Spirit. I am assured that His Word concerning prayer is true for me, personally, and that God is working through my prayers for His glory!
© Copyright 2006 Kay V. Stocking
