Some people close to me, but separated by many miles, were really hurting and upset.  I wanted to be with them, but that was not possible. I did the one thing I could do, I found another person of faith, and we prayed. We prayed specifically for the details of the crisis. We prayed for God’s peace to sweep in and help settle things. We prayed for perspective. We prayed for His intervention to overtake the pitfalls of human intervention. We prayed in faith, trusting in God and our relationship with Him. We believed and acted with the knowledge that He would hear and interact our prayers.  

Within the hour, God’s peace began to completely transform the crisis, and His intervention was overcoming the pitfalls of human intervention. It was beautiful to hear about. I wept tears of gratitude and my sense of awe in God increased.

There are two things I am learning: 

1. There is no power in the intent to pray
2. The power released through prayer with God is only released when we pray

A few years ago I took up a challenge to, whenever appropriate, pray for people when they ask for prayer. I also made a decision to try to avoid the phrase “I will pray for you” when the power of prayer and God’s interaction with our prayers could happen in that moment. I choose to PRAY NOW. There’s a reason why Paul encourages us to pray constantly. The transforming power of God works through prayer. Our awareness of God at work in things that matter to us becomes more obvious. The results and outcomes of any situation are improved through prayer. God’s will, and being aligned with His will, increases through prayer.

The next time you get caught grinding away on something in your own strength, stop the moment when you become aware of your own grind, and pray now. Bring God into the center of the situation as soon as possible.

At first, it might feel awkward, but stay with it, and you will see God’s transforming work become more evident to you simply by taking time to Pray Now!

In Christ,
Ed McDowell
Warm Beach Camp Executive Director