All We Can Do Is Pray?

All we can do is pray. The phrase is often uttered in situations that feel hopeless. The sentiment indicates a turning to prayer, after trying everything else, because it might do some good. The truth is, the best thing we can do in any situation is pray to the God who has all wisdom, power and authority. We just don’t appreciate the magnitude of prayer. All we can do is pray? It’s a powerful resource, available to us in any situation. It is the first and most important thing we can do–anytime.

Prayer is not a last resort. When properly understood, it is our greatest resource. When prayer is our first action, no matter the issue, it makes everything else more effective. When we charge forth, without praying first, it may explain why a lot of activity, done in our own strength, doesn’t accomplish what we hope. To neglect prayer is to miss a valuable asset.

The apostle Paul mentioned prayer in all of his letters to the various churches. He prayed for their strength and encouragement. He offered prayers of thanksgiving for the people to whom he was writing. He asked them to pray for his strength and endurance. Sometimes in the middle of his letter, he would offer a specific prayer for the people he was addressing. Paul’s life and ministry displayed a continual life of prayer. And he admonishes us to pray without ceasing. He counsels us not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. He tells us to devote ourselves to prayer.

Prayer acknowledges our need for God. It confirms our dependence on Him. He is the source of all we have. Apart from Him we would have nothing, and could do nothing of lasting value.

A question posed by Corrie Ten Boom is worth considering. “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Each of us must decide whether it a guiding force or an afterthought. Is it the fuel for our life, or the box we break in case of fire?

Paul commended Epaphras to the Colossians because he “always prays earnestly” for them and the believers at other churches, “asking God to make them strong and perfect . . . following the whole will of God.” Who knows how much difference the prayers of others have made in our own lives?

Recently a couple friends and I met for lunch at a restaurant. The demeanor of the waitress who greeted us at our table revealed a very dark mood. We had no idea whether a previous customer had ruined her day, if she had received some bad news or if her dog had died, but she was clearly unhappy. When the waitress returned to the kitchen, one of the friends with whom I was dining decided to pray for her, and did so right in the moment. She asked the Lord to work in her heart to encourage her and somehow turn her day around.

When the waitress came back to our table a few minutes later to take our order, there was no evidence of the dark cloud that had been so obvious before. It was as if she was a different person. She didn’t know my friend had just prayed for her, but something had changed. She had become friendly and pleasant. Coincidence? Unlikely.

All we can do is pray? There may be other things we can do, but praying first gives us wisdom concerning how to proceed. What better place to start?

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT

 

How has God answered your prayers? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Copyright 2023 Phyllis l. Farringer