PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

Prayer surely works, but not all people believe so. I've met people who believe prayer only benefits the one who prays, giving them peace of mind or calming their heart, but not to change anything. They believe God has things already worked out (He does, of course) so prayer doesn't change what He will do. But I believe in the Christian addage, "Prayer Changes Things."

My wife Carol believes it too. After sustaining a complete fracture of her right upper femur last Monday, she had surgery Tuesday to put three pins in to hold the broken leg bone in place. After two more days in the hospital, she was transferred to "Sante of Chandler," a beautiful new facility in south Phoenix for physical therapy. It's located at 825 S. 94th Street  Chandler, AZ 85224, if you'd like to send her a card. Or more easily, she can be reached via Email at . She is using our regular address while I use a different one, as you can see from the Email address I am using.

Carol said often last week she felt so comforted that so many were praying for her. The dozens of Emails and many cards and flowers she received helped her know that "Prayer Changes Things." Now, neither she nor I can prove that God did things any different than He might have had no prayers been offered up. But a Christian can know whether she is being blessed by the petitions offered up on her behalf.

Consider what Isaiah 38:1-5 tells us about this: "In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, 'Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.' Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, 'Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight. ' And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: 'Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life'."

God changed His plan because of Hezekiah's prayer. Now, you might think God knew Hezekiah was going to pray, and just waited for him to do so, and then did what He was going to do all along. But the Bible is trustworthy, and when it tells us God heard his prayer and added fifteen years to his life, we can believe that is what actually happened. You and I can believe, "Prayer Changes Things" because it really is true.

God answers prayer in several ways, "Yes, No and Wait." He can agree with our prayer and grant our wish, or He can can decide not to grant our prayer for reasons only He knows. God can also answer us by having us wait awhile before granting our request. Parents do this all the time. They hear the child asking for something that may be good, but they know the child is not ready nor capable of receiving it now. One day, yes, that request can be granted, but not now. When it's time, the parent gives the child what (s)he asked for months or years before. Then (s)he is ready to receive and use it wisely.

God is answering our healing prayers for Carol now, but He is also making her wait with rehab and gaining strength. God is making me wait also, because she is not ready to come home yet. Meanwhile, I've had dear and longtime friends visiting with us whose time here was significantly altered. They did less sightseeing and more serving than planned. I thank God they were here, for they helped with tasks around the home and have been good companions. When they leave, my sister and son are coming for awhile. All this was already planned months ago, so God is using our plans to do His will. He does that often, and that in itself is very comforting.

"Prayer Changes Things!"