The power of prayer

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18).

Just as prayer was powerful for Elijah, it can be powerful for us too; but we must have faith! If we pray for something according to the Lord’s will, we must not doubt that the Lord will grant our requests. Sometimes we may not know what the will of God is but sometimes we can. James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” We know that it is God’s will to grant us wisdom if we ask for it, but we must not doubt! This is just one of many examples.

Believe it or not, God answers our prayers even if we do not get what we want. Sometimes, the answer may be no, but we must not let this discourage us. Keep on praying, and if is according to the Lord’s will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). Pray! It is a privilege God has given us to thank Him, praise Him, and ask for blessings according to His will. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Jonathan Glaesemann