![]() ![]() We may not even be aware of it at first, but as we continue to pray, changes occur within us that become apparent on the outside, too. Many of us don't grasp how prayer changes us the most. "As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning." Luke 9:29 describes a scene in the Bible where Jesus is praying. 2 Corinthians 1:11 explains how many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. Answered prayers today may come from prayers spoken generations before us by great-great-grandparents, relatives, and Christian leaders we may never have met, heard of, or known of. Thankfully, unlike most things on earth, prayer has no expiration date. I am grateful for how their words have brought godly changes to my life and still benefit me today. In considering the possibilities, my heart has been giving thanks to God for unknown prayers others may have spoken for me. Prayers maybe our hearts wouldn't have been open to receiving at the time if they had told us. Most likely, many of us are experiencing benefits from others' secret prayers on our behalf. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Psalm 66:19 assures us, "But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer." Likewise, confidential prayer leads to eternal rewards. When we pray as God leads, He not only answers but also brings us closer to Him in our relationship, knowing He listens and hears us. 1 Samuel 10:9 gives us an example, "As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day." Prayer Changing Rewards After all, He is the One who initiates a changed heart. God receives praise when we keep our prayers for others close to our hearts, resisting taking credit for our participation. Sometimes God nudges us to share how we pray for them, but more often than not, these prayers are between us and God. What wonderful freedom we have to pray as God leads without having to say a word to those we are praying for. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Many of our prayer-changing stories are private, where lives are changed, unaware of our prayers for them. These stories help to build faith within us and to believe, like the changes recorded in its pages, we can experience remarkable changes in our lives, too. Over and over, Scripture reveals the amazing changes prayer initiated in one person's life to entire nations. And spare my people-this is my request.'" Through Esther's call for prayer, the malicious scheme to destroy the Jews was stopped, and her people were spared ( Esther 8:11). "Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it please you, grant me my life-this is my petition. Likewise, is the story of Queen Esther, who asked her community to pray (and fast) before taking the life-and-death risk of asking the King to spare their lives ( Esther 4:16). She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him" ( 1 Samuel 1:20). "So, over time, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. As 1 Samuel 1:10 describes, "In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly." Through her sincere petitions to God, she received her heart's desire by becoming the mother of Samuel. Stories like Hannah, who desperately prayed for a baby. Nowhere does the Bible say the exact phrase, "Prayer changes things." But in real-life stories included within its many pages, God's word inspires, encourages, and urges us to follow their examples, where prayer certainly did change things. Philippians 4:6 urges, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." Prayer Brings Change The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" ( James 5:16). The Apostle James wrote, "Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. ![]() The enemy of our souls despises prayer because he has witnessed how it works. “I wait for the Lord my soul does wait, and in His word, I put my hope.” ![]()
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