Prayer (dad)

03/12/2010

Prayer; it is at once a very simple yet difficult concept. Yesterday, my friend, Judy, had cancer surgery. It was a difficult day for her due to other health issues and a multitude of inadequacies by the attending medical staff. There were complications that were life threatening. There were a lot of people praying, from an African American church in Dallas to a couple of guys walking a golf course in California. At the end of a very long day for those with her at the hospital, another friend called and said, “She’s out and everything went well.” My first reaction was, “Praise God”. But my second reaction was wondering if all that prayer really had a direct effect on the outcome, or if what happens; happens. I know all the theology behind prayer, but it is one of those areas that the Enemy will use for doubt. We pray because scripture tells us to (Phil 4:6 et al) and because it’s a positive action we can take when we can’t do anything else. But, do I really believe it’s effective? Was it really prayer that God responded to that pulled Judy through that surgery yesterday? Is all that prayer for Janice really going to influence the direction of the cancer and the surgery? Has it already? I don’t know how it all works. I do know that scripture says, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jms 5:16b). And I know a couple of other things. God is sovereign and will do what He chooses to do that will bring honor to Him, and that will always be best for us. (Isa 64:8) God is faithful and can be depended upon even when doubt blinds my faith and good intentions. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful…” (2 Tim 2:13) Many of you who prayed for my friend Judy yesterday don’t even know her. Thank you for that. And thank you that you continue to pray for Janice and me. Though I sometimes doubt and wonder about how prayer works, I am convinced God listen, and I’m convinced He reacts. Prayer does change things. And that’s enough to know for now. Keep it up.