~ Faithful Prayer ~

[Lani]

Luke 7:1-10
1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.


The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. James 5:16 (TEV)



My heart went out to the missionary wife who stayed behind to care for a special-needs child as her husband traveled. I should visit her, I thought. But when? I already had more to do than I could manage. A close relative in another state was in hospice care, and I wanted to see her before she died. Visits to both of these women began to appear impossible. All I could do was pray.

All I can do is pray? I thought. Do I take prayer to seriously? Isn’t God, through prayer, able to meet needs in these situations without my physical presence or input? Do my prayers lack power if I am unable to do anything to help God answer them? No wonder I felt overwhelmed with the needs of others! I was taking on responsibility that is God’s!

I asked God to help me trust that my prayers would be answered – not by my action but by God’s. Prayer is, indeed, more powerful and important than anything else I can do. Sometimes I am part of the answer in a physical way, but more often the answer comes without my involvement.

Yet in response to our prayers God reaches out to the lonely and to the dying. Our prayers have a powerful effect.



Prayer:Watchful and caring God, keep us faithful in prayer, and help us trust you to answer. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Missionaries
Thought for the Day: When we can’t be with those in need, we can still pray.

Story shared by: M. Gorman (PA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/9/11