Prayer is an important part of Christian life.

Prayer is a lifeline and how we can talk directly to God.

Prayer changes things. 

These are all truths I have grown up knowing, yet prayer has always felt like a chore. The part of my faith that I feel I should do rather than want to do; I love Jesus but praying has always been a challenge to me. A bit like, housework. It’s lovely having a house, living in a home but at the end of the day, cleaning needs to be done; it’s something I should do rather than want to do. 

Anyway, one particular morning, I felt led to pray about the war in Ukraine. I went on the BBC news app on my phone to look at the headlines for prayer inspiration. While looking, I also saw that Iran had launched missiles into a northern Iraqi city. It broke my heart in a way that’s not been broken before and I felt compelled to pray about war all over the world. I then asked Jesus what could I do? What can I do really, that will make a difference? Little, ole’ me, living in a small coastal town on the edge of Wales. Immediately, I heard God say ‘PRAY FERVENTLY. PRAY EARNESTLY.’ 

Now, I must admit, I’ve always seen prayer as a bit of a copout out in these kind of situations because that doesn’t offer practical help to the people affected (forgive me, Jesus, for the error of my ways). It’s easy enough to send up a prayer. But what help does that give to those who are having to run for their lives? But on this particular morning, Jesus challenged my thinking on prayer. Yes, to send up a prayer is easy, but to pray fervently and earnestly? That’s a whole new level of prayer. It takes passion, empathy, conviction and a seriousness about what you’re praying for. 

I knew there was a verse in the biblical book of James, that was about praying earnestly. So I looked it up. It’s about the prophet Elijah who prayed earnestly for no rain and it did not rain for 3 and a half years. He prayed again, and the heavens opened, allowing the earth to produce crops (James 5:17-18). Wow! I mean that is seriously impressive. In that moment, my thoughts and feelings on prayer shifted. It was almost like a revelation. Those truths I knew in my head became more than just head knowledge. These truths took root in my heart. Prayer and its importance suddenly made sense. 

Prayer is not a copout. Prayer is a powerful tool in a Christian’s toolbox. Prayer gives us direct access and communion with God himself; The creator of the entire universe. Prayer should not be a last resort but rather be the first thing we do, not only in times of crisis, but always. God has the power to change all things. God is ‘able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). God is powerful – so powerful that he is able to raise people from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20; John 11). He makes the impossible, possible (Matthew 19:26 NIV; Luke 1:37 ESV). And we have access to this God 24/7!? Why am I not praying more? Why am I not bringing EVERYTHING before him? I repeat, prayer is not a copout. Prayer is a powerful tool in a christian’s toolbox. 

Prayer has the power to change things. Prayer has the power to give us strength in times we need strength. Prayer has the power to give us courage when we need to be courageous. Through prayer, God changes us. Through prayer, God changes people. Prayer is of the utmost importance.

Is that to say we only pray and take no action? Of course not; the book of James has plenty to say on faith in action but that’s a lesson for another time. 

To pray fervently and earnestly to an all powerful God is the lesson for me here. To not view prayer as a cop out but rather the most powerful thing we can do as believers in Jesus Christ. 

Prayer is an important part of Christian life.

Prayer is a lifeline and how we can talk directly to God.

Prayer changes things. 

Truths I now know deeply in my heart and I pray you do too.