The Amazing Power of Prayer

One of the best ways to find and maintain joy in our lives is to devote ourselves to prayer. It’s an amazing way for us to keep our mind focused on God, and the amazing things He’s blessed us with. However, I think some people misunderstand what prayer really is, so I’d like to clear up a few misconceptions about it.

First, prayer isn’t an obligation; it is the greatest privilege we have. Second, prayer is not a religious activity; it is a relational conversation. If we over-spiritualize prayer and turn it into something it isn’t, we won’t want to pray. It does not require being in a certain place, assuming a certain posture, or using theological words in a certain tone of voice. Third, we don’t have to pray for a specific length of time or at specific times of day. Prayer is simply talking with God and listening to Him as we would in a conversation with a friend.

I like to teach people to pray their way through the day. Let prayer become like breathing. Each day, start a conversation with God about anything and everything. As you go about your day, simply talk with Him about everything that happens, about the people you encounter, about what you think and how you feel. There is nothing—nothing—that is off-limits with God. If something is on your mind, you can tell Him all about it. Prayer opens the door to the power of God and invites Him to change things and people. It opens doors you could never open yourself, and it closes doors that would lead to something that isn’t good.

Prayer is what changes our circumstances and our relationships, and it also changes us. It is amazing to pray and then watch God answer your prayers. In fact, it is one of my greatest joys in life.

There are many reasons to pray, but I want to focus on just one of them: God hears us and answers when we pray. According to James 5:16, The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power] (AMP).

Some people are reluctant to pray because they do not think God will hear and answer them. Others hesitate to pray because they’re independent and want to do things themselves. They fail to realize how much God loves and wants to help them. No matter how tiny or seemingly unimportant it may be, if it concerns us, God is interested in it. If something hurts us, God wants to comfort us. If something is too hard for us, He wants to help. All we have to do is ask—and joy can be ours (see James 4:2).

_{Adapted from the book Be Joyful by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2022 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.}