Practically Speaking, Prayer Works
Published: February 13, 2006
Why pray? Do I really think my little prayer is going to change God Almighty? Can I convince the Creator of the universe to do something just because I ask?
My prayer doesn’t change God. It changes me and my relationship with God. Prayer is practical. It works! [One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America]
I don’t get out of bed without hitting my knees. I’m not superstitious. I have just learned from experience that if I begin my day without pausing for a moment to ask God’s direction, I’m in trouble.
I try not to ask for specific things for myself, only for the wisdom and power of his Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, words and actions. I try not to tell God what should be done for others in troubling situations. I simply ask that they would know his love and compassion, especially in difficult times.
The fact that I pray at all can be seen as a miracle. I grew up believing that prayer was punishment. I recall having to say the rosary with my arms outstretched (often with a bar of soap in my mouth) for using a bad word. The parish priest prescribed prayer as penance in the confessional. How could I know prayer to be an integral part of a peaceful, meaningful and practical way of life? [If God Is Love : Rediscovering Grace in an Ungracious World]
Plea for Help
I began praying because I had run out of options. My life was in a downward spiral, the result of me trying to run it on self-will. I was asked to consider the possibility that a loving God would hear my pleas for help. It was suggested that I replace defiance with reliance and begin to seek a relationship with a power greater than myself. I tried it out of desperation and was amazed with the results.
How does one move from rejecting prayer to embracing it?
Try it.
Even if you don’t believe, it will work for you. Just be willing to try. Pray for those you resent. Ask God to bless them with all that you want for yourself. You will find that it is practically impossible to go on resenting people while you are sincerely seeking blessings for them.
Prayers of thanksgiving also bring immediate, positive results. A grateful person is a happy person. It’s difficult to be grumpy when you’re counting your blessings.
Prayer takes the pressure off. I have made a habit of asking guidance from the Holy Spirit before I go on television or speak before a group of people. Trusting that the right words and attitude will come, I can relax, be calm and think clearly under pressure.
Don’t get me wrong - I’m no St. Francis of Assisi. Prayer still doesn’t come naturally to me, but I have learned to practice it and I know it works. I don’t pray because I’m a saint or even aspire to become one. I pray because it makes life easier to bear. I do believe we are sanctified through prayer, but that is a lifelong process and I’ve only made a start.
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