power of prayer
I've been thinking about the power of prayer lately. Once I read about a group who supported a man going through surgery by having him wear a pager and each time someone prayed for him, they'd page his pager so he'd get a notice of each prayer. I can see where that would be a powerful help. Even when you don't physically get notified that others are praying for you, it does make a big difference knowing.
And the act of praying is a powerful help to me. Saying or writing what's in my heart, and imagining that God who loves me in a most incredible way is listening is awesome.
Yet I wonder about it, too. When I pray for someone, does it really matter? If they don't know I'm praying for them, it can't make a difference to them in the way it does when you know. I guess it still is a help to me. I am comforted knowing that God has heard my prayers for that person and, I hope, will guide what happens to that person.
But I have to believe there's more than that. That prayer has a power regardless of my feelings or the person's knowing. I want to believe that. Most of the time I do believe that.
And the act of praying is a powerful help to me. Saying or writing what's in my heart, and imagining that God who loves me in a most incredible way is listening is awesome.
Yet I wonder about it, too. When I pray for someone, does it really matter? If they don't know I'm praying for them, it can't make a difference to them in the way it does when you know. I guess it still is a help to me. I am comforted knowing that God has heard my prayers for that person and, I hope, will guide what happens to that person.
But I have to believe there's more than that. That prayer has a power regardless of my feelings or the person's knowing. I want to believe that. Most of the time I do believe that.