The plaque on the wall said, Prayer Changes Things. Exactly what things does prayer change? Will God change the thing I want him to change? Is there any thing he won’t change? Why would he say no?
Unfortunately, we have used “The Lord’s Prayer” as words to recite, without the heartfelt expressions that Jesus taught.
What difference does prayer make? What will God change? As we surrender our lives to him, pray without ceasing, and are led by his Spirit, we’ll see the greatest change in our own lives and what we think and do.
If you have unwavering faith, you will not only do things like this, but you will say to this mountain, “Rise and be thrown into the sea,” and it will obey. When faith connects your prayer with what God wants to do, you will see it happen. — Matthew 21:21–22, The Discussion Bible
Nothing is impossible with God.
Jesus caused deaf ears to hear. Blind eyes could see. The dead were raised to life. Since God hasn’t changed, we can be sure of what God can do today. Just about anything he wants. But what will God do? That’s the all-important question.Our greatest need is the Lord.
I wonder if I really know what my greatest needs are. For a long time, what I thought I needed wasn’t what I really needed. But finally, I became aware of my need and prayed.Jesus knew how to pray.
In the model prayer, Jesus gave us a pattern of how we pray from the heart. May your Kingdom come and your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive our wrongs as we forgive the wrongs of others. Keep us from temptation and protect us from evil. For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9–13).Unfortunately, we have used “The Lord’s Prayer” as words to recite, without the heartfelt expressions that Jesus taught.
The guarantee for getting what we want is to want only what God wants.
The apostle Paul told Christians in Philippi that God would supply their needs (Philippians 4:19). He said that after thanking them for their gift to him. I have everything I need, full and overflowing, after Epaphroditus brought your offering, which was like the odor of a sweet-smelling sacrifice, acceptable and most pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18). What was Paul saying? That they didn’t have to worry about getting as long as they were focused on giving. He quoted Jesus as saying, “Greater blessing is found in giving, not receiving” (Acts 20:35).Prayer changes things.
Prayer makes a difference. I have no doubt. But that doesn’t give me control of what God will do. I’m thankful for that. When I don’t get what I think I need, I can be sure he knows something I don’t know. He has a better plan. If we can understand that, we can be thankful in all things.What difference does prayer make? What will God change? As we surrender our lives to him, pray without ceasing, and are led by his Spirit, we’ll see the greatest change in our own lives and what we think and do.
If you have unwavering faith, you will not only do things like this, but you will say to this mountain, “Rise and be thrown into the sea,” and it will obey. When faith connects your prayer with what God wants to do, you will see it happen. — Matthew 21:21–22, The Discussion Bible