Does Prayer Work?

Do I pray to an Omnipotent, Omniscient God or to an itty-bitty magical genie?

Questioning the power of prayer is rampant among believers not to mention everyone else. Elisabeth Elliot answered that question better than anyone I've read or heard, so far, and her words strike a powerful punch:

"The answer to that (the question, does prayer work) depends on one's definition of 'work.' It is necessary to know what a thing is for in order to judge whether it works. It would be senseless, for example, to say that if a screwdriver fails to drive nails into a board, it doesn't work. A screwdriver works very well for driving screws. Often we expect to arrange things according to our whim by praying about them, and when the arrangement fails to materialize, we conclude that prayer doesn't work. God wants our willing cooperation in the bringing in of His kingdom. If 'Thy kingdom come' is an honest prayer, we will seek to ask for whatever contributes to that end. What, after all is said and done, do you want above all? Is it 'They will be done?' If so, leave it to Him.

Is it 'My will be done?' Don't waste your time and God's time by praying. Have it your way."*

Yikes! Her words may feel like a slap in the face but she is dead on correct! Yes, I need to pour out my soul to Christ. He already knows every secret thought, desire and feeling that I have about someone or something but I am to trust Him with the results and the timing. How do I pray in a way that strips my will out of the equation? I love George Muller's response to the power of prayer. He established the first orphanage in war-torn England exclusively through faith and prayer. He desired for this orphanage to be "visible proof", for believers and non-believers alike, that "the Word of God ought to be enough" to be trusted to fulfill every need.

He didn't ask anyone for anything, not when they needed food, not when they couldn't pay their bills, not when they needed furniture and household goods not even for personnel! He simply prayed! Early in the process, while reading his Bible, a verse jumped out at him more than at any other time: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10) George Muller realized that he had only been praying generically whether it was God's Will for the orphanage to come to fruition and whether he was the person intended to embark on this undertaking. Now, he prayed specifically for a house which would be needed, he prayed for a house to be given either as a loan or permanently granted to him, he prayed for a specific sum of money needed and he prayed for the proper people to help him care for the orphans! He raised these petitions to the Lord "fully aware what I was doing, i.e., that I was asking for something which I had no natural prospect of obtaining from the brethren whom I know, but which was not too much for the Lord to grant."

Naturally Muller was repeatedly asked how he managed to run an orphanage "only" on prayer and faith to which he responded:

" 1.I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here...difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is. 2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions. 3. I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them. 4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection His Word and Spirit. 5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright. 6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective."**

Crazy right? Though why should I feel astonished that God met every need? George Muller relied exclusively on God and God answered every prayer! We pray asking for what we want, wanting God to bless it and then acting shocked and disappointed when we don’t get what we want, when we want it. George Muller knew, believed and ACTED on his faith that Almighty God still did the seemingly impossible. God does not change! Does prayer work? Yes, absolutely! Empty yourself first, then strategically and specifically pray. God is still faithful and He still hears and answers prayer! He wants to bless me and you! So, what do you really want, to trust an all powerful God or to trust hopeful whims? Your answer will dictate your results!

*A Lamp Unto My Feet by Elisabeth Elliot, Month Three, Day 9

**Answers to Prayer From George Muller's Narratives