I can tell you, I believe in prayer. From my parent’s knees, I learned to pray. I can remember our family unit– from age 14 years, down to a babe in arms, each evening after dinner dishes were done, we would gather in the living room and read the Bible–and then pray. I loved the reading part of the evening devotional because reading out loud was my favorite. Each of  us who could read, took turns reading through the passage of Scripture. Two verses each. I was delighted when my portion was long, for there were more words for me to read.  After reading the Bible, we’d get down on our knees where we were sitting, and pray. There’s where I first learned to pray.

As I grow older, prayer is even more precious to me than ever.

Early this morning, I read two passages that spoke to me. They were both in the book of James. Did you know James was Jesus’ half brother? Often reading this book–especially chapter 5 is a bit daunting: And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You’ll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. (James 5: 1). Later in the chapter, however, there are very encouraging words about prayer–and that’s my focus today. I believe in prayer. I know God answers prayer. Sometimes He answers the way I want Him to. Other times, He says “no” or “wait”. Here’s two verses that stood out to me today:

Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail (James 5:10-11 MSG).

He was referring to two prophets here. Job–who lost everything–and then gained it back. But first, Job had to lose it. I like the phrase, “Job’s staying power”. He got a close look at God and realized who he was and who God was.

The next part of this chapter that got my attention were the following verses, using Elijah as his example:

…pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again (James 5:17-18).

There was a famine and Elijah prayed for the famine in the land to end. It took three and a half years for that to happen. A commentary reminded me that Elijah sent his servant to look for clouds six times before he saw a cloud “as large as a man’s hand” in the distance.

Sometimes answers to our prayers take a long, long time. One prayer I uttered–and it’s so personal I can’t tell you what I prayed, but I will tell you it was almost 40 years before it was answered completely. Sometimes, God answers prayer immediately. Other times, we may not in our lifetime see the answers.

Just last week, I was working on redecorating our guest bath and I wanted everything to tie together perfectly. I used a beautiful piece of cloth my sister brought back to me from Africa. There were only tiny pieces of the fabric left, but I pieced them together to make a little curtain for the window. The colors matched the paint and tile work perfectly. Next, I chose a watercolor drawing one of my grands painted for me nine years ago. It also picked up the colors of the tile work. I remembered a card I’d received from–yes–a missionary from Africa–Nigeria and Uganda to be exact. I loved the colorful picture and the words inside were also beautiful and I knew I’d saved it. Where to find, though? I looked and looked. And couldn’t find it. And then, I asked God to help me. I looked one more time in the drawer I was sure I’d put it. Sure enough! There it lay, upside down, so I couldn’t see. I found it!

Sometimes our prayers–even seemingly insignificant prayers–are answered immediately. Sometimes we wait for years and years for certain prayers to be answered.

There’s another passage in that book of James that I really love:

 The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with (James 5:17b MSG).

The prayer…is something powerful to be reckoned with…Now, I’m not telling you God is like Santa Claus where we ask for anything and everything, but I can tell you He does hear and answer–and wants to hear from us and answer our prayers.

Give it a try.

Lord, today I ask for my readers to have more faith to pray. You promise to hear us and give answers of prayer through your Word–that is truth. Thank you Lord Jesus. In Your name I pray, Amen.

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