Prayer Works - Vol. 1: Praying at All TimesSample

Day 1: Prayer Works

There is an undeniable power in prayer. I’ve witnessed countless prayers answered in my life, from the seemingly trivial—like asking, “Lord, help me find a parking spot on this massive college campus of 40,000+ students with only 400 parking spaces”—to life-altering moments like narrowly escaping an accident while calling out, “Jesus,” as I avoided another vehicle on an icy road. Both situations remind me that prayer can greatly influence our circumstances.

When I reflect on James 5:13-18, I realize we are invited to pray on all occasions and many types of circumstances. Whether we are faced with trouble, experiencing sickness, struggling with sin, in need of healing or need rain in the middle of a drought, like Elijah, we are called to pray fervently because prayer works!

At the same time, we are also encouraged to praise when we are happy, as highlighted in verse 13. Take a moment to reflect on a time when prayer impacted your life, big or small. Then, write a prayer of thanksgiving to express your gratitude for God's faithfulness and presence in your everyday experiences.

This devotional is an excerpt from the book A Fire Inside by Dr. Bianca Neal.