Saturday, June 19, 2010

Prayer Changes Things - Part 1


A local, generous antiques dealer sold me this late 1800's prayer chair for his cost - $50! He stated he had already made his profit on this particular lot he acquired from an elderly couple who immigrated to the U.S. from Europe many years ago. The couple said the prayer chair came from a Catholic church in France. The upholstery is original.

My grandparents had a magnet on their refrigerator that read "Prayer Changes Things." Amidst an array of magnets and various clippings, it was one I always seemed to notice. Now, it graces my refrigerator. Sometimes, I look at the prayer chair and wonder how many people over the years have prayed on it and what changes were put in motion as a result of their prayers.

One needs only to look to the Bible for evidence of how prayer changed things in the lives of many. James 5:16 NIV states: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." When we are in need we should remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 21:22 NIV: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Sir Thomas Buxton is quoted: "You know the value of prayer: it is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it."

When a situation we pray for does not result according to the way we have prayed, I still contend that prayer changes things. It provides peace and sometimes it changes us. We have peace knowing our part has been done and that our heavenly Father knows what is best according to the circumstances. An excerpt from the 1966 book Meet It With Faith by Martha Smock reads:

"When we form the habit of taking all of our needs to God first in prayer, we find that we are filled with a sense of rightness and direction that we can gain in no other way. We are filled with a feeling of freedom and peace when we pray about all matters; and even though the answer may not be yet apparent, we are able to go about our life with a calm and confident spirit, sure of God's presence, sure of the right outworking of every situation."

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

A prayer from a humble, believing, obedient soul is never unavailing. It reaches God. Just as sure as God exists, so sure will he respect such a prayer. His word says so, and it can never fail. - J. W. Lowder


Linked to an inspirational place to visit - Spiritual Sundays - http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

11 comments:

  1. Yes, I always believe Prayer Changes Things.
    Thank you for this beautiful post!

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  2. With out prayer I would have nothing at all. Wandering how many people sat and prayed on that chair were my first thoughts as well. What a wonderful addition to your home.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  3. Having a comfy prayer chair has been a goal of mine...Yes, if that prayer chair could talk..
    Thank you for a thoughtful post on prayer....I do believe there is great power in prayer...have seen that many times over. Praise God!

    www.myautumnyears.blogspot.com

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  4. I believe in prayer and like you said...sometimes we don't get what we prayed for but it changes us....that chair is pretty cool.

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  5. Creating a special place for prayer is something we all can do. A friend of mine built an altar out of driftwood on the beach by her house. She goes there to spend time with the Lord. Another has a Prayer Room in her house. Now you have the prayer chair, you can sit on it or kneel by or just look at and think about the Lord. My prayer place is not so glamourous... its the bus I commute to work on each day. But, that's okay. God is just happy to have me spend time with him :)

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  6. This is so true. I've found that sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for because he has something even better in mind for us. We need to trust and wait for it. How interesting that you have the prayer chair. Thank you for sharing it and this post with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  7. I agree with Charlotte - sometimes God answers "no" because He has something better for us. There is no such thing as an unanswered prayer, sometimes it is yes, sometimes no, sometimes wait.

    If your prayer chair could only talk - the stories it would tell.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  8. Wonderful SS Post ! We are commanded to pray about everything thing , it aligns our heart & minds with His will.
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  9. Wonderful post.
    Prayer is the key.
    A blessed Day.

    " Regina "

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  10. Wonderful post.... Prayer does change things!!

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  11. I really enjoyed reading the posts on your blog. I would like to invite you to come over to my blog and check it out. God's blessings too you. Lloyd

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