Series: The Things We Say - Prayer Changes Things … Or Does It - Martin Wiles

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians12:8-9 NLT

A life-changing situation had turned my world upside down. Because of the nature of it, I could no longer serve in the profession I had been in for the previous fourteen years. I prayed for God to open a door. Potential employers had the authority to overlook and understand what had happened and hire me anyway. But few wanted to. I sent hundreds of resumes. Only a few offers arrived, none of which paid a salary on which I could survive. Taking a different career path seemed my only option.

During this time in my life, disappointment, discouragement, and depression were my occasional bedfellows. Like Paul, I begged God to remove my thorn in my flesh. Although I didn’t hear his answer, my unchanging circumstances revealed it: “No.” Would I learn to do what Paul did—boast about his weakness--or continue wallowing in my self-pity? And, of course, some reminded me that prayer changes things.

My prayers seemed to change nothing, but over time, I discovered they had. They changed me. I let go of the bitterness over what had happened. Paul also learned to glory in his weakness. Instead of stewing over my circumstances, I allowed God to use them for his glory. Since then, I have counseled many who were passing through what I did. Others who had not couldn’t comprehend their pain as I could. In time, God put me back into my chosen profession.

Prayer might not change the course of a hurricane or tornado, alter the mindset of a spouse who chooses to walk away, modify the course of a rebellious child, or revise the boss’s mind about a layoff, but it will change our perspective on circumstances, which in turn will alter our attitudes. And when my attitude changes, so will our responses.

Prayer will change things. If nothing else, you.

Father, may I be faithful in my prayers, trusting you to answer them as you see fit. 

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