Prayer That Works Sometimes
Why do we ask the
Church elders or friends to pray for us?
It is because we instinctively know that, "The prayer of a good person
has a powerful effect." (James 5:16 TEV) We hope that it is effective but the
Bible assures us that it is effective.
But is it effective?
For it to be effective, we have to believe and not doubt at all. Again
the Bible tells us, "When you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all.
Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the
wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you
do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord." (James
1:6-8 TEV)
However, do we believe
in what we pray for?
Jesus promises, "I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me," (John 6:37
TEV) and "When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received
it, and you will be given whatever you ask for." (Mark 11:24 TEV)
Does Prayer works all the time?
Even with great faith, no one can guarantee with absolute certainty that prayer will work all the time.
What do we do when our son ask us for good things?
Jesus asks, “Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks
for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? As bad as you
are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then,
will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew
7:9-11 TEV)
So, do we ever wonder why we pray during our adversity and trials?
One reason why God allows us to have trials and adversity is for us to
discover and learn for ourselves, through our own personal experience, "how
very great is His power at work in us who believe." (Ephesians 1:19 TEV)
What if the person is of another religion or culture?
Jesus assures us that, “I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me” (John 6:37 TEV). It doesn’t matter whether the person is a Pharisee, a Greek, a Roman Centurion, a friend, a rich man, a poor woman, a sinful woman, a criminal, a man with little faith, a crowd, the leper, the lame, the sick, the blind, the demon possessed or a little child. He walks His talk and keeps His promises as can be seen in the following instances: He
Raises the daughter of Jairus, a Pharisee, from the dead. (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56)
Heals a Greek woman’s daughter with unclean spirit. (Mark 7:24-30)
Heals the sick servant of a Roman Centurion at Capernaum. (Matthew 8:5-13)
Raises a friend, Lazarus, from the dead. (John 11:1-46)
Heals Peter’s mother-in-law at Peter’s home. (Luke 4:38-39)
Heals the sick son of a Nobleman in Cana. (John 4:46-54)
Heals a poor woman with an issue of blood for twelve years on the way to Jairus’ home. (Mark 5:21-34)
Forgives a woman who lived a sinful life (Luke 7:36-50)
Forgives a criminal at the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
Heals the demonic son of a man with little faith a day after the Transfiguration (Mark 9:14-30)
Feeds the four thousand (Matthew 15:29-32).
Feeds the Five thousand (John 6:1-13).
Heals a leper in the town next to Peter’s home. (Mark 1:40-45)
Heals two blind men after He departed from Jairus’ home. (Matthew 9:27-31)
Heals a paralyzed man let down through the roof at Capernaum. (Luke 5:17-26)
Cast devil out of a dumb man (Matthew 9:32-34)
Heals a blind and dumb man possessed by devil. (Matthew 12:22-23)
Heals blind man at Bethsaida. (Mark 8:22-26)
Cleanses ten lepers in a village along the border between Samaria and Galilee. (Luke 17:12-19)
Heals blind Bartimaeus and another outside Jericho. (Luke 18:35-43)
Welcomes the little children (Matthew 19:13-15)
But, what if we doubt?
If
we doubt, we will not experience His power at work in us. Jesus will not work
His miracles on those who do not believe in Him. Jesus will not force His
miracles or will on any one. The Bible tells us that, "Jesus said to them, 'A
prophet is respected everywhere except in his hometown and by his own family.'
Because they did not have faith, he did not perform many miracles there."
(Matthew 13:57-58 TEV)
What if the circumstances don’t change?
Even when the circumstances don’t change, as long as our faith is strong, our attitude will change and therefore our response will change. Once our response changes to positive, we will have peace “which surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV) It is a peace that defies logic. That defies our human understanding.
Thus, we
come back to how strong is our belief?
If it is strong and trusting and does not waver, we will come to
experience His great power at work in us who believe!!! It really works but
at His timing and in line with His Word.
What to do after we have received what we prayed for?
Praise God for the blessings. Jesus points out that it is important to say “Thank you” as in the case of the ten lepers who were healed but only one came back to thank Him: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17 NIV)
Jesus also counsels, “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8 NKJV)