Does Prayer Work - Pt. 2

Today we're going to continue our series in the Daily Devos on Prayer: 

Years ago someone gave me a little plaque that is on the mantel in my office.  It reads, "Prayer Changes Things."  Maybe you've seen this little aphorism before. This is an excellent little phrase, but I think it needs to be nuanced just a bit. 

I would say the following is more accurate:

"Praying changes things---prayer changes us."  

As I pray--when I am opened to the power of the Holy Spirit and to hearing the voice of God in all of the infinite variety in which God speaks--I can easily be transformed by the very act of praying itself.  My heart can be moved... My thoughts transformed... My very being realigned with God's purposes... 

Listen... 

Every single one of us have had prayers go unanswered.  We've prayed and prayed and all we hear is silence.  I've had more than my share of conversations with wounded and broken people who have said to me, "God didn't answer my prayer." 

Maybe you were the answer to your own prayer. 

There's a popular Christian song on the radio right now where the singer asked why God won't do anything about world hunger, human trafficking, poverty... and God replied, "I did--I made you." 

At this point someone might be thinking, "But what about that time I prayed for God to heal my loved one---and they died?  What about the time I prayed that God would heal my marriage---but it ended?  Are you saying that I was the answer to that prayer?  That it was my fault or something for not seeing it?"

No... I don't know why bad things happen. I have said repeatedly that I don't think God causes all things to happen.  But maybe God wanted to be close to you when things went south. 

Or maybe there's more going on than you can see right here and right now. 

Listen, if you can't see the energy exchange that is happening right now between you and your chair--chances are you aren't aware of everything that's going on in the universe. 

And you probably aren't aware of all that God might be up to in, around and through you. I've learned over the years that when it comes to God's plans for my life--I'm playing checkers and God is playing chess.  I think I've got it all figured out, but God is so many moves ahead of me---not to mention God's not even playing the same "game."  

Practice trusting God today by prayerfully surrendering the outcomes of some difficult moments.  Pray the prayer that Jesus prayed when he was facing his worse moment and completely surrendered his will to God:  "God, not my will, but yours be done.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.