Why Pray?

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Some scoff at prayer, others question its purpose, and some have become disillusioned because their prayers have gone unanswered. That does not change the fact that scripture tells us to pray and records more than 600 miraculous answers to prayer.

It Is Written

JAMES 5:14 -16 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Prayer Changes Things

Scripture records years added to a man’s life because of prayer. One account describes the sun standing still for a day in answer to prayer. The prayers of the barren brought forth children; wisdom was granted; territory expanded; deliverance from a whale’s belly occurred; the paralyzed were healed; Peter walked on water; demons fled; prison doors opened; the dead were raised; and numerous others. I’d rather pray about everything, as mentioned in scripture, and see some answers than pray nothing and see nothing. Our experience does not nullify the Word of God.

Prayer

Lord, in a world marked by so much criticism, backbiting, and judging, I want to align my heart and mind with the prayer of Jesus in John 17, where He prays that we would be one, just as He and God are one. Where there is division, I ask for unity. Help us continue loving others and treating them with respect and kindness, even when we don’t agree with them.

Takeaway

The prayer of faith will save the sick, forgive sins, and heal. It is powerful and effective.