Evidence for Prayer

Robert Burns Memorial & Gardens from the Brig O’ Doon, Alloway, Ayrshire. https://www.facebook.com/SpectacularScotland

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

Have you noticed how cynical our world has become? In the twenty first Century there are no certainties, everything is open to question including moral standards. The questioning of Christianity is not new, but it has grown in volume and vehemence. Of the many aspects of Christianity one of the most mocked is the value of prayer. If you ever needed evidence of this just mention prayer in any public conversation, and watch the incredulous looks you receive. Despite this, I believe that the catalogue of answered prayers (plural!) in our life of faith is the most profound evidence of the value of prayer. Let me provide just two examples.

Both examples of answered prayer come from a time when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The first came when we heard the news in Queen Margaret Hospital Dunfermline, my wife and I were sat in a side room with our Pastor trying to take the news in. After a wee while our Pastor suggested we should pray, just then a Social Worker appeared to see if there was anything that could be done to help. This lady turned out to be a believer from Kinross, who then joined us in our prayer time. We all prayed with passion surrendering the situation to God’s Glory, that He would use it for His will. Afterwards we sat looking at each other in silence, we all agreed it was a blessed time of prayer and had felt His presence in that wee room. The evidence for His answering those prayers came over a long period of time, as many situations arose to share the story and most importantly the Gospel Good News with many people. He took the offering surrendered to Him and turned it into something beautiful for His Kingdom. And this prayer is still being answered today!

The second example is one of those situations. As I was recovering from brain surgery I was trying to regain some strength and stamina, I did this by going for walks from the ward to the shop and/or cafeteria much to the displeasure of the nurses. I had met folk and had conversations about eternal matters in earlier walks, thus I had started praying before leaving my bedside asking God to guide my steps and meetings. One day on a walk I felt drawn to an individual who looked upset by the shop, I approached them asking if they were okay. They told me through reddened eyes that they had just heard the news their loved one had a brain tumour – this was not a coincidence…it was a God-incidence! I listened to them and offered to pray for them, which they were grateful for. I never met them again, but my job was done. I have no doubt in my mind that many such stories provide irrefutable evidence for the power of God in prayer.

Dear reader, do you believe in the power of Almighty God in prayer? He delights in hearing and answering our prayers; the big ones and the wee ones too. Finally, a specific question – do you pray for Divine Appointments in your day? Try it brethren, it is exhilarating!