The Amazing Privilege of Prayer

A while back I asked my granddaughters if they knew the difference between a wish and a prayer. Lucy said, “Well, Papa, a wish we just make to ourselves, but a prayer we make to God.” That’s right. There’s a big difference between the two.

Everyone, in some way, shape, or form, does seem to pray. Historically, even the most remote tribes were found to have presented offerings and prayed to their gods.

According to a recent Gallup poll, more Americans will pray this week than exercise, drive a car, or go to work. Nine out of ten of us pray regularly. Three out of four of us pray every day. But here is the question: Are those prayers being heard?

Our prayers can be answered. There is no question that prayer is an amazing privilege that God has given to each of us. If you’ve ever been in what seems to be an impossible situation with no way out, then you’ve probably discovered that God can intervene and change things through prayer. Prayer can change situations. It can change people. Prayer can even change the course of nature. It has been said that if you’ve been swept off your feet, it’s time to get on your knees.

God will allow hardship, challenge, need, and sometimes even tragedy so He can reveal himself, so He can put His power and glory on display for those who are watching.

That’s why it seems so crazy to me when I hear of people who are facing hardship and choose to withdraw from and even get mad at God. That is silliness. The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV). We need to turn to God—not away from Him—in times of crisis.