Powerful Prayer

I’m not sure why God allows us to pray and has those prayers affect change. Really it’s a lot like allowing a 3 year old to help make pancakes. Do they actually “help”? When they accidentally add eggshell to the batter and then more batter seems to be on the table than the bowl, it can make ya wonder. But isn’t their joy in helping wonderful? The big smile that crosses a toddler’s face when they eat what they helped make is priceless!

This week I got to encourage a mom whose daughter is under going treatment for colon cancer and let her know I’d be praying. In our chat I referenced Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted to us, in response to the prayers of many.”

My cancer free status has come in response to the “prayers of many.” I am sure of that and so incredibly grateful for each of the prayers offered on my behalf.

On March 18th we experienced a glorious celebration- Tanner and Larisa’s wedding. It was a dry day and the weather in Bodega Bay was calm enough that folks even hung out outside at the reception (remarkable, right?) It was so poignant to celebrate their love and experience the culmination of years of prayers. Truly, it was so beautiful.

I know that God doesn’t always answer prayers in the way we wish He would. I begged Him to help my sister survive Covid, and that didn’t happen. It was her time to escape the suffering of this earth, but I wanted her to stay here a little longer. I don’t pretend to know why another school shooting took more lives this week. My heart weeps for those families.

In the midst of heartbreak, I’m grateful for hope that God’s plan is bigger and better than we can imagine. He can bring comfort in the midst of the tragedy we experience in this broken and sin ravaged world. I’ve seen this first hand during my struggles with chronic pain and my cancer journey and in the lives of so many others. God can take something totally evil, and turn it around to use it for good.

In the face of heartbreak He gives us a way to “do something.” We can pray. It is our privilege to “help” by crying out on behalf of others, asking for them to receive what they need. It’s incredibly exciting to participate in miracles by being a part of the prayer team.

Today, I got to celebrate the miraculous progress a friend is making in her fight. The cancer has been eradicated but her body has been ravaged by the treatment. She’s been on a ventilator for two weeks, but today she sat up and opened her eyes. Tonight, we have hope for her recovery and that is tremendous.

Prayer is powerful because God is powerful and through prayer He allows us to participate in what He does. He is the answer to our world’s sin problem, and has a plan that includes ultimate healing. May we each experience more of His presence by talking to Him and seeing His way in big and little things.

Yesterday, I was grumpy that it was raining yet again. Additionally my heart was heavy for those in my life undergoing hard circumstances. I didn’t want to go out and exercise. Even our dog, Akili, wouldn’t join me because the evil cold wet stuff was coming from the sky. (But Duke the cat came part way!😆)

Something changed as I began to walk around our property in the rain and wind. As I walked, I prayed. I began thanking God for the things I could see including the energy to exercise and the many colors of green in our world due to the rain. My spirit began to lift. After a couple of laps and some time on my stationary bike, I was energized and my outlook had changed. The exercise helped, and joy came from time spent being grateful and enjoying God’s gifts.

Prayer is powerful. It changes things, beginning with my heart.