As the Hurricane raged toward the gulf coast last night, I prayed. I prayed for all those involved. But my two nieces and their families were an incredible burden to my heart. They were in Beaumont, Texas, which, at the time, seemed to be right in the path of the eyewall of the hurricane. Because the eyewall is directly outside the eye and the strongest part of the storm (and the fact that they chose not to evacuate), I was incredibly fearful for their safety. Even as a seasoned believer, when you are trying to stop a Category 5 hurricane with your own individual prayer, it can be daunting. Nevertheless, through tears, I prayed, occasionally wondering about the effectiveness of my prayer. Do prayers really work?
I prayed for God to protect all those in the hurricane’s path. And I prayed for the salvation of those who were facing the onslaught that this storm was about to bring (especially my nieces and their families). I prayed to the one who controls the wind and the waves with the very sound of His voice.
We have all prayed prayers that didn’t get answered the way that we desired. And we have prayed prayers that we aren’t even sure got answered. So, do prayers really work?
Well, scripture tells us that, when we love God and when Jesus is Lord of our Lives, He hears and is attentive to our prayers! “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12.
He even says that yes, He will hear our prayers and when they are prayed with our whole heart (holding nothing back from Him), we will find him and be in His presence. What does that mean, “you will find me”? It means, when we pray with a sincere heart, holding nothing back, we will find God and all of His attributes. We will find peace, hope, love, forgiveness, and eternal life! “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13.
When we love the Lord and call on God, He will answer. He will be with us in times of trouble. He will rescue and protect us! “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15.
God answers our prayers before we even ask them. He knows what our wants and needs are and He knows what we will ask of Him before we even utter a prayer. “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.
When we call on God, He answers and promises to show us amazing things that we never even knew. “Call to Me and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3. Through prayer, God wants to show us great and mighty things.
One of the great and mighty things that God showed me last night was that, when I trust Him in my trials, He will calm my heart and mind and give me peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
Lives were lost in Hurricane Laura and, for that, I am deeply sorry. I pray for the families of those who lost their lives. God, pour out Your peace and comfort on them, please.
But God didn’t desire hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes and floods. He desired paradise, the Garden of Eden and Heaven. It is the enemy who seeks to kill and destroy! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10.
Yet, when a hurricane is deemed “unsurvivable” at a category 5, and there are many, many survivors and significantly fewer deaths than expected, it is clear that God was at work. He was doing great and mighty things.
So, do prayers really work? Prayer is an opportunity to speak with our Heavenly Father. It is an opportunity to tell Him what is on our hearts, make requests, praise Him, and even listen. God loves and desires those intimate times of communication. He wants to talk to us constantly. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
I spent time with my Heavenly Father last night having that kind of communication. I poured out my heart to Him and He heard my prayers before I even uttered them. He was there with me, comforting me, loving me, and pouring out His peace.
In all these verses about praying, God doesn’t promise to say “yes” to our prayers. He promises to care for us, comfort us, be with us, and give us peace. So, for me, yes, prayer did work.
God did all of those things and He did the same for our nieces when they prayed. Thank You, Father. So again, do prayers really work? They did for me and God wants them to work for you too.
We praise You, Father for Your love for us and for the way that You comfort and care for us. We thank You for answered prayers, Father, and even more for the ones that You said “no” to because You know what is best for us. Jesus, because of Your sacrifice, we can come to the throne of our Heavenly Father boldly and pray. Thank You! Father, comfort and provide for those who suffered a loss in Hurricane Laura, whether it was life, pets, or possessions. Be with them and draw them to You, Lord. Wrap Your arms around them and pour out Your peace. We pray this in Jesus’s precious and Holy name. Amen.
Have you thought that God wasn’t listening to your prayers? Or that you were too bad for Him to want to hear from you? I once felt that way and I promise that it isn’t true. God wants that kind of relationship with you. He wants those prayerful conversations with you. He wants to forgive you and to walk with you through this life. God loves you dearly and wants to have an incredibly intimate and loving relationship with you. But it requires repentance, a prayer, and that you seek Him with your whole heart. Please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Through that single prayer (or one similar), God can forgive you and that intimate relationship with Him can begin.
Please pray, because prayers do work!
Once you have prayed, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
