Prayer Works

[William Richard Ezell]

Prayer Works Rick Ezell “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” 1 John 5:14 NIV. Does prayer really work? Actually this is a bad question. Prayer is not a utilitarian practice aimed at achieving an accomplishment. Neither is prayer an exercise in which a person gets exactly what he asks for if he takes great care to state the request properly. Prayer is not merely communicating words with God, but communion with God himself. Communication implies an exchange of words and logic. Often prayer consists of nonverbal outcries that are far more emotional than rational. The act of prayer is being with God. In his presence we are complete. We find joy. Asking if prayer works is to misunderstand the nature of the experience. It’s like asking, “Does love work?” or “What do you get out of talking to the one you love?” In our communion with God we need not be preoccupied with logistics, language, or locale. We need only to speak to God with absolute candor and a total lack of inhibition. Prayer is an invitation to speak to the One who loves us beyond measure. Prayer does not lead to an experience with God; as much as it is an experience with God. When we experience God, we discover that he is different. He listens. Prayer works because God hears. Your voice in heaven matters. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, he turns to heed your voice. Even if you stammer or stumble over words, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. To the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. To the alcoholic begging for mercy. To the spouse that seeks guidance. To the businessman who steps into the chapel. God listens. A lot of things in this world don’t work. But this one thing you can count on: God hears our prayers. Why not take a moment and commune with God?