As a teenager those years, we had a landlady who suddenly started picking quarrels with me. She would shout my name and complain that I was disturbing her. When people got to ask her my offence, she said I usually threw stones at her at night in her sleep. I realise it was the effect of my prayers she was talking about.
Friend, your prayers have effect. You need to believe in your prayers (James 5:16). Of course, our faith must be in our God who answers prayer. But you also need to believe in your prayers. If you don’t believe in your prayers, you won’t see the need to pray. You won’t also be motivated to pray. Why would you believe in other people’s prayers and not yours (Hebrews 11:6)?
Some people believe in their pastor’s prayer but doubt their own prayer (Mark 9:23-24). They believe that God will hear their pastor but He won’t hear them. Listen, if you are a child of God, you already have access to God. God pays attention when you pray (John 9:31). He loves to hear you pray. God is a prayer-answering God, not a prayer-storing God.
Like Daniel, when you have issues to deal with at work, business, or the family, learn to pray (Daniel 2:16-22). Thinking without praying is another recipe for headaches. Without prayer, your thinking won’t be productive. Don’t just think through it. Also, pray through it. Daniel was confident he would get answers via prayer. Where do you resort to when life hits hard (Acts 4:23-33)?
Where is your confidence (1 John 5:14)? Is it in your uncle, friends, parents, partners, or boss? Who you put confidence in would determine who you run to when life happens. Daniel knew to run to God. He came back with the right answers. There are answers waiting for you in the place of prayer. You cannot afford to be clueless or stranded (John 6:6). Pray! Your prayers have effect.
Don’t just pray for praying sake. Believe that you will receive (Mark 11:24, Acts 12:1-16). This is what we call the prayer of faith. Get into relationships and faith communities where prayer is given a top priority. Don’t gather to pray with people who are not expecting answers from God. God hears your prayer. The devil fears your prayer (Psalm 56:9). What is stopping you from praying?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria