Answered prayer

Day Five: I am thankful for answered prayers. I know God has heard my cries over the years. The big ones and the little ones, even the silly seeming ones. I am confident when I pray that He hears me now. Sometimes I question how exactly prayer works...its easy to ask how my little prayer can make a difference in God's actions. I don't understand all the theology, but I know, as Jason reminded me this week, that God's Word says "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16) and "You do not have because you do not ask God" (James 4:2). I don't know how and why it works, but I know it does and God tells us to do it. Good enough reasons. It amazes me when I think of all my prayers God has answered, especially the ones I had to wait for. Amazes isn't a strong enough word. I am in awe...still not strong enough.

I am especially thankful for a long memory of answered prayer because so many of my friends and family right now are suffering in different ways. I really can't remember any other time in my life when so many people I knew were in such pain. My heart sincerely hurts for my friends. It aches. For so many of them, all the help I can offer is prayer. Because God has answered so many of my prayers in the past, I have extra confidence that He will do it again.

Thank you God for prayer. Thank you for hearing and answering. Please bring comfort and healing to my friends.