YES, YES, YES, PRAYER WORKS!
Why is it that two people can pray for the same need and one gets their prayer answered, while the other doesn't? Does God love one more than the other? Of course not! He loves us all the same.
Could it be that one person was more in tune with God than the other, and had a hot-line toward heaven?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. Sometimes we must pray for a need each time it comes to mind. It is important when we tell someone that we will pray for them that we don't forget. That person is counting on us. Let's not let them down by forgetting.
Prayer won't work if we pray with doubt and unbelief. It is a serious matter to pray without belief in our heart. In Matthew 17:20, we read that if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can tell the mountain to be removed and it will obey.
There are times when we don't have the faith to get our prayers answered, but others do. Through their faith, God moves on our behalf. Maybe you don't believe all of this is for you. I can relate. There was a time in my life when I didn't believe that prayer could work for me. I am thankful that God had another plan. The Grace of God is wonderful.
Several years ago, I had serious back problems. Many had prayed for me, but I got worse. When they prayed, I didn't feel like God would answer their prayers. In fact, one man from our church came to my home to pray for me. As he prayed for God to heal me, I said to myself, "You can pray all you want, but God will never answer that prayer." I am thankful that He has everything under control, and that He is so forgiving. He can take our failures and allow something beautiful to take place inside of us, as we learn to pray.
I am grateful that this dear man of God prayed for me. I had no idea what God had in store. Soon after, I got a surprise like I had never gotten before.
God took my situation, and taught me that prayer does work. Even though I didn't believe at the time, God healed my body. When He did, this verse came to my mind:
"And behold, a woman, which was diseased,
came behind Him, and touched the hem of his garment." Matthew 9:20
God had a plan for my life. I finally understood that His healing was for me, and not just someone else. I saw first-hand what God can do. Because of this, He has used me in this area to accomplish His purposes.
God took an individual who didn't believe in healing and made a believer out of me. Now He gives me the opportunity to pray for others who need a touch from God.
Don't believe the lie that His promises are only true for others. God has a good plan for your life too.
