21 Jun 2016 Put your prayers to work!
by Laurie Green
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to watch the movie “War Room.” If you haven’t seen this yet, I highly recommend you do. Seriously, as soon as you’re done reading through this whole 501 LIFE, go and watch this movie! I won’t spoil it for you, but I will tell you it was a gut-punch reminder of how powerful our prayers are.
It took me awhile to realize there is a difference between praying and complaining. Often times when I faced a problem, I would do a series of the following: complain to my husband for endless hours why “this” should be “that” and then I would proceed to tell anyone close to me (who would listen) why “that” should be “this” and so on and so on. It was like sitting in a rocking chair — there was a whole lot of moving going on, but I wasn’t going anywhere.
All this changed once I made my very own “war room” and found some quiet time with God.
Hours of complaining won’t produce much more than people being quick to avoid you, but one moment in the presence of God can change everything!
Psalm 116:1-2 says, “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
Did you catch that? God not only hears you, but he bends down to listen to you! I mean just ponder that fact for a moment — the creator of the universe is so enthralled by YOU that He leans in to hear your request and concerns.
Here’s the best part: God already knows what you’re going through. Matthew 6:8 says, “ . . . for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” He isn’t a God of disorder, but of peace. You see, behind that closed door of my war room I allow myself to share everything with God. The things that hurt me, the things I’m ashamed of, my fears, my dreams, my deepest innermost secrets and all the desires of my heart.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16). As I said earlier, all the complaining in the world will get you nowhere. I think we get in such a habit of letting prayer be our last resort and not our first response. We forget God will bend down to listen.
I am speaking from personal experience when I tell you that I have seen the power of prayer in my life. There have been moments and situations that the only explanation I have is that God leaned close, He heard my heartfelt request and He answered my prayers — in His way and in His timing. Whatever situation you may be facing, whatever impossible circumstance, God is just a prayer away. Today may be just the day to create your very own war room, stop all the complaining and start putting your prayers to work!
