The Power of Prayer.

Prayer. It seems like such a simple thing. Many people may do it, and some may never focus on it. But what people don’t realize is how powerful prayer can be. When I was little my mom used to make us pray before we ate any meal. Everyone would have to say a prayer at least once a week and we would just continue to rotate. Just something as simple as prayer before eating made me respect the life I was living. I was blessed with food on the table, and I needed to praise God for what he had given me.

From time to time I fall short of the glory of God. I go to sleep without praying. I eat meals without praying. I should really be praising the Lord for giving me another day on this earth and the life he has given me. Sometimes we all fall short, but it is up to us to change who we are and become better Christians. For that reason, I have chosen to focus on my religion and faith through my independent learning project.

As I began my five hours, I thought of a pastor who has always spoke in a way that I understand, Joel Osteen. I decided to look up a few of his sermons online to watch. Oh boy did I enjoy that! I searched for a sermon about prayer because this is something I really need to focus on right now. I’m not going to lie, when I lay in bed about to go to sleep I start to pray. And the all the sudden I’m half asleep. That is me not focusing on prayer. Prayer can be so powerful. Joel Osteen states that we need to Ask Big. He says, “Don’t pray prayers to get you by, ask big.” What Joel means is that when we are praying we should not be shy, we should act greedy and ask for what we need. The Bible says it is the father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

After watching this and reading some Bible verses about prayer I realized that I need to fix my prayers. I need to pray with faith to start off with. I pray about many things, but my faith that things will actually change is low. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” I need to live my life more faithful. That is not what a faithful prayer looks like. When I pray I need to give it all to God and believe that he will take care of everything. I need to pray big. I need to pray that God would make me famous in my field so that I can make a difference in the lives of others. Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This next week I am really going to focus on my faith while praying and also praying big. I’m going to be greedy when I pray let God have it all! Prayer can change lives and I truly believe it. One day I was talking to my grandma about God. She told me a story and this is how it went.

Grandma: “You know, prayer can work in many ways. It can change peoples’ lives.”

Me: “I believe that grandma, but sometimes it is hard when we don’t see a change.”

Grandma: “You just have to keep praying, but pray with faith and believe it can truly happen. My aunt married a man who didn’t believe in God, but she prayed that he would come to know God and she prayed that prayer with faith and belief for 45 years. Her husband knew God six years before he passed away. Now isn’t that amazing.”

Me: “Wow! That is incredible and a great example of what prayer can do.”

(That is a true story) My grandma is a great example of what being a Christian truly means.

I am already loving my independent learning project. Today as I started watching Joel Osteen I felt a sense of happiness and peace. I’m already feeling happy and like a better Christian and it’s only been one week! So I am pretty excited to see where this project takes me!

Remember: Prayer is powerful! Prayer is important! Prayer is Asking Big!