It has become a common response to difficulty to promise to pray for someone. I have often said, “I’ll be praying for you,” when in effect I didn’t intend to follow through. However, the Lord has convicted me, and I am no longer going to take that promise lightly. 

God reminded me that prayer is not just an exercise in sympathy.  Prayer actually connects God’s power with man’s need.

When I pray, I am talking to the all-powerful Creator of the universe who holds the stars in His hands.  He knows all and sees all, but the most amazing thing is that He cares.  He is not too busy to listen to my requests or too amused by our discomfort to step in.  He loves us perfectly and is concerned with everything that concerns us. 

 Because I am convinced that prayer makes a difference, I am renewing my commitment to pray early, to pray often, and to pray aggressively, because I know that my prayers make a difference.  Just look at what the amplified version of the Bible says about prayer in James 5:16.

“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available—dynamic in its working.”

When I pray, my prayers, although I am a mere man, releases great power that is has the power to change hearts, improve circumstances, and infiltrate people’s problems.

Whether things are great or things are falling apart, I am going to pray. I am going to talk to God about what is on my heart and what I see going on around me.  When I need Him to intervene, I am going to ask Him to do so.  If I or someone else needs to feel His presence, I am going to tell Him that as well.  

God is just waiting to chat with me.  He longs to meet my needs.  He desperately cares and is willing to rush to my side.  Prayer puts that all in motion.