God Changes Things

Years ago, a sign hung from the pulpit in a chapel in my hometown: that read, “Prayer Changes Things!” As well intended and true as that sign may have been, the focus it drew was slightly off center. Actually, you see, it's God who changes things. Prayer is the talk we have asking Him to change them.

Televangelists and religious professionals have made prayer to be a valued item quite discrete, independent and powerful, in and of itself. Sometime God is not even mentioned: “That will take a lot of prayer!” Sometimes the physics of prayer are specified: “That will take a ton of prayer!”

Prayer, like faith and love, represents a quality of relationship between people and God. Prayer is the communication of that relationship. The “amount” of that communication is important, but not so critical as the quality of our relationship with the Person with whom we are in dialog -- God. Faith, that is, the trust enjoyed between communicating partners, is the key.

So, looking for some needed change to be made by God? Don't go looking for “tons of prayer” as your first priority. Go looking for people who have a relationship of deep trust with God – and ask them to talk to Him on your behalf. Better yet, be one of those people who confidently depends on God (faith)... and talk to him yourself... today. How about now?

“the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up... the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 2:15-16 (emphasis added)