A 7-Day Guide To PrayerSmakprov

Does prayer even work? 

Prayer—though it is often draining, even an agony—is in the long term the greatest source of power that is possible. - Timothy Keller

People often say, “God didn’t answer my prayer.” Actually, God does indeed answer every prayer we pray. Sometimes He says, “Yes,” sometimes He says, “No” and other times He says, “Wait.” But, when we don’t get our prayers answered according to our desires, we assume that “He didn’t answer our prayer.” 

This thought pattern tends to be very selfish and yet, if we are all honest, we have probably entertained this thought at some point in our lives. We asked God to do this good thing for us. When it didn’t happen, we found ourselves left with a bruised heart because we trusted God. And that’s just plain difficult to accept.

But we can’t allow our discouragement with our unfulfilled plans cause us to doubt the God who created the world. When we come to a place where we truly believe God has our best interests at heart, there is a peace that follows. Oftentimes, His “no” answers are to protect us. 

When we don’t get the answer we desire from God, instead of the first response being “Why did you let this happen?” let’s begin asking, “How are you going to use this?” Let’s change our “why” to “how.” Adjusting our view of God that shows Him as mean and withholding, to a God who wants the best for us will indeed change us from the inside out.

So, does prayer even work? 

Well, if our definition of prayer is that we say a prayer and ask for God to grant us something that we are asking for and He doesn’t, then no, prayer doesn’t work. But, if we see prayer as having an ongoing, two-way conversation with God where we grow in our intimacy with Him, then yes, prayer does work. It all depends on our definition.

As we close out this reading plan, may we be closer to God than before. Someone once said, “When life is rough, pray. When life is great, pray.” And let’s remember that the objective of praying is not about sounding extra spiritual in a prayer meeting or acquiring every material possession we want. The objective is an intimate relationship with God. 

So, let’s just keep praying—on the pretty days, on the ugly days, on the glorious days, and on the melancholy days. Because He’s always there; nearer to us than our breath. 

Reflect

• Have you ever asked, “Why didn't God answer my prayer?” Share about that experience.
• Spend some time asking God to reveal His truth to you regarding that experience.
• Write down any revelation that God speaks to you through today’s Bible reading or devotional.