This morning I had a delightful conversation with a friend I haven’t seen in awhile. It just reminded me once again of how encouraging it is to be in relationship with someone who is on the same path toward spiritual formation - being formed increasingly into the image of Christ
As we talked, the subject of prayer came up. We both shared how God has been answering prayer for each of us that we have prayed for a long time. Of course, there are still so many petitions we have made to the Father that we haven’t seen the answers to yet. And then there are all the many issues that are still unaddressed in our world.
Yesterday I had a different conversation with someone who is so moved by several social issues that she is torn over which one or ones to pour herself into. It can truly feel like trying to drain the ocean with a teaspoon.
In both of the conversations, what struck me was the incredible gift of prayer. Before you click off, thinking, “yes, I know…prayer is important and powerful…” read on a bit further. The thing I want to highlight here is the longevity of our prayers.
Perhaps the greatest example of just how far-reaching a prayer is, read with me John 17:20-21:
Jesus prayed, saying “ My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you…” Here we see Jesus interceding for the disciples, but also for those who would come after them - which includes you and me.
Then my favorite passage about the long-lasting effects of prayer is found in Revelation 5:8, where we have the visual image of the elders holding “holden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
We have absolutely no way of knowing just how impactful a prayer that we pray today may be in the lives of those who will follow us years from now. And in the same way, we cannot know just how our prayers for something like social justice are mingling with similar prayers from our spiritual family all over the world and for all time before us. A few seemingly small and insignificant words have the power to collectively change the world.
Your prayer does make a difference. James reminds us that “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” James 5:16b
I love visuals. A few years back, I painted on canvas my version of what these prayer bowls might look like. I did it to remind me during a time that my family was struggling that God has a visual and fragrant reminder of the prayers I continue to pray for them. This week, I developed this idea of painting a visual of prayer bowls into a workshop.
Next time you feel tempted to think “I can only pray…” turn that concept into a powerful statement: “I will pray and my prayer will make a difference.”