June 2023

Prayer: The Power to Change  

"To pray is to change.   This is a great grace.   How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control."  [1]    

Prayer is a central aspect of the Christian faith, connecting believers to God and enabling us to experience His presence. Prayer is not merely a duty or a religious obligation; but, rather an opportunity for believers to commune with God and align our hearts with His purposes. In prayer we approach God with genuine honesty and vulnerability. Our prayer provides the chance to hear God's voice in prayer, allowing space for silence and stillness to hear His gentle whispers. Through prayer we engage an ongoing conversation with God. Not a conversation limited to a single moment in time, a specific instant set aside; but rather a conversation flowing forth from God’s endless stream of self-giving love. 

Martin Luther wrote extensively about the need for, and power of, prayer:   

* "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."        

* "Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."       

* "The fewer the words, the better the prayer."       

* "Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon."       

* "God's grace and mercy are not dependent upon your prayers, but your prayers are dependent upon God's  grace and mercy." 

Overall, Luther believed that prayer was a vital part of a Christian's relationship with God, and that it was through prayer that believers could draw closer to God and experience His love and grace more fully.  

In short, prayer changes everything; beginning with us.  As we draw close, into the very life and heart of God, God changes our lives and our hearts.  As we pray for love, we learn to love.  As we pray for joy, we know joy in God’s presence.  As we pray for peace we are transformed into peacemakers.  

Our lives are often anxious and troubled; and, God invites us into the peace of God’s presence. Almost like crawling into the very lap of God, feeling the holy arms of Jesus embrace us, and knowing the power of God’s Spirit surrounding us.  

I pray you God’s presence, peace, comfort, and joy.

Pastor 

[1] Foster, Richard J. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992.