![]() People believe because the gospel because of what Tabitha experiences as a result of prayer. Luke records “this became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord” ( Acts 9:42). In this marvelous account, Peter turns to the woman and says, “Tabitha, get up.” In response, Tabitha opens her eyes. Rather, Peter enters the room, kneels, and prays. When Peter arrives, he does not just lend a comforting ear or speak to the grieving of the reality of heaven. When a faithful woman named Tabitha died, for example, people immediately call for Peter to come. The apostles did not just talk a good game, they changed people’s lives.Įxamples abound. This directly contributed to the spreading of the gospel. Prayer was a fundamental component of the apostles’ mission to the world. The apostles became well-known for their power-filled prayers. This reality is displayed continuously throughout the Book of Acts. Prayer changes things in our lives, and in the lives of others. Prayer is not a religious placebo - something the faithful do to feel better but ultimately holds no power. Prayer is not just an abstract principle or theological doctrine. One of the most astounding facts about prayer is that prayer works. Not only does God hear, but God also responds. Deuteronomy 4:7 declares this fact “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” God hears the cries of God’s people. In contrast, Yahweh traveled with them and intervened for them. As Israel moved from Egypt to the Promised Land, they encountered many nations whose gods and idols were distant and powerless. It has no spirit, no life, no strength ( Psalm 115:5-7). Prayer to an idol can never change anything in one’s life because an idol is but a creation of human hands. ![]() God’s powerful presence, met in prayer, is what differentiates the Lord from every made-up deity or idol. God inspires us to pray, and when we pray, God releases God’s power in the world. The truth is the power of prayer is based in God’s gracious willingness to respond. This can make us believe that the power of prayer lies in our own activity. We often view prayer from the human side of the equation. ![]() What Does the Bible Say about "Prayer Changes Things"? Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang Can we trust God’s promise to answer our prayer? What does it mean when my prayer seems unanswered or unrealized? Can I trust that prayer changes things, even when no change is evident? Questions abound when it comes to our prayer lives. Have you ever asked yourself if prayer really changes things at all? How do you know that your prayers for a sick friend have any effect? If I pray for someone to get better, and they do not, does this mean that my prayers have failed? When our prayers are met with apparent silence, we may question the fruitfulness of prayer. Scripture continually affirms that God’s power is revealed in people’s lives when the faithful give themselves to prayer.Īnd yet, despite these affirmations, we do not always see these things take place. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective, says the book of James (5:16). The sick can be made well, the blessings of God can be bestowed. Our prayers have the capacity to change people’s experiences in life. Jesus promises that our prayers will have an effect (Matthew 21:12). As members of the community of faith, we also pray for the needs of others. In prayer we present ourselves, and our needs, ceaselessly before the Lord. Prayer is the call to an interactive relationship with Jesus.
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