Have you ever prayed for something or someone? Prayer is more than words; it is the sincere desire of the heart expressed to God in hopes of an answer. It is taking the deepest concerns of our lives and placing them in the hands of the One who alone can resolve them. For the believer, prayer is not an option—it is essential. Show me a Christian woman, and I'll show you a woman who knows the power of prayer. Show me a Christian man, and I'll show you a man who can testify that prayer changes things. The Bible provides us with story after story of what prayer can accomplish. Moses prayed, and the Red Sea became a bridge over troubled water. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still until victory was won. Hezekiah prayed, and fifteen more years were added to his life. Daniel prayed three times a day, and lions became as harmless as kittens. Three Hebrew boys prayed in the fiery furnace, and a fourth man—like unto the Son of God—appeared in the flames. Even Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, and then in Gethsemane showed them what it meant to pour out a prayer of surrender.
Prayer is powerful, but it is also practical. Paul wrote to young Timothy that believers should pray "supplications, prayers, and intercessions" for all people. Prayer is not limited to friends or family; it is not confined to our church or community. It reaches across race, color, creed, and even political lines. Yes, it even includes praying for our enemies. Matthew Henry once said, "The design of the Christian religion is to promote prayer, and the disciples of Christ must be praying people." Paul's instruction shows us that prayer comes in different forms. A supplication is a prayer of request—a humble plea. It is the kind of prayer made with tears in the eyes and surrender in the heart, willing to do whatever God requires. David prayed such a prayer in Psalm 51: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Supplication is what a parent prays when their child is sick, what a worker prays when applying for a job, and what a sinner prays when longing for forgiveness. It is on its knees in prayer.
Another form is intercession, which involves praying on behalf of others. The Greek word means to plead for someone else. Jesus Himself is our intercessor, the mediator who prays for us before the Father. Likewise, the church is called to intercede. We intercede for marriages that are falling apart, for sons and daughters who have lost their way, for neighbors who still chase the party life, blind to eternity. Like Abraham pleading for Sodom, we are called to stand in the gap and pray for souls who cannot or will not pray for themselves.
And then there are prayers of thanksgiving. These are not requests or petitions but expressions of gratitude. Sometimes, the best prayer is not "Lord, give me" but "Lord, thank You." Thank you for waking me up this morning. Thank you for clothing me in my right mind. Thank You for life, health, and strength. Gratitude is itself a powerful act of prayer, because it shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance God has already provided.
When the church prays, powerful things happen. Prayer lifts bowed-down heads and strengthens weary souls. Prayer turns sadness into gladness, confusion into harmony, fear into courage, and defeat into victory. When the church prays, heaven listens, the wicked grow uneasy, and the devil takes flight.
The good news is that every believer has a direct line to God's throne. You don't need a special password or a secret code. Within your heart is the "phone"—call on Him. Call him in the morning. Call Him at noonday. Call Him in the midnight hour. The line is never busy, and the response is always prompt. We believe in prayer because of what Christ has done. On Calvary, Jesus died so that He could intercede for us before the Father. He died so He could be our mediator. He died so that every one of us would have the right to call upon His name. And early Sunday morning, He rose again with all power in His hands—power to answer every prayer. So keep on praying. Prayer still changes things.
The Rev. J. D. Yates, pastor of Bell Grove M. B. Church, interim pastor of Kindling Star M. B. Church, and president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greenville and vicinity.
