What Difference Does Prayer Make?

By Paula Williamson guest writer

Scripture teaches that prayer has tangible impact. Elijah prayed for drought during Israel’s idolatry, and the land experienced three years without rain. After his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, he prayed again, and God sent abundant rain. The Bible reminds us that we do not receive because we do not ask, and that God responds when His people pray and turn back to Him. Prayer makes a difference.

It is written

JAMES 5:13-16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Prayer is the way we relate to God. We talk to people we love, and they talk back. The most trustworthy relationship you will ever have is with God. Prayer can cause the sick to be healed, rain in a drought, healing of land, make the impossible possible, and capture the ear and heart of God. He hears!

Prayer

Lord, here I am, all I am, and all I am not. I bow before You, King of the whole earth to surrender my heart, and life. I bring to You all my concerns and lay them at Your feet. Teach me how to pray.

Takeaway

God hears, and that makes all the difference.