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Prayer is a strong and mighty force.

Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard said, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

“Prayer changes us,” Rick Warren, author of several “Purpose Driven” books said. “The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.”

Martial arts master, actor/director, Bruce Lee, said, “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.”

Prayer is truly a powerful and effective item, isn’t it, (James 5:16). Too often we fill our prayer time with only requests, pleas, pleads and questions. What if we followed the model prayer of Jesus found in Luke 11 and Matthew 6 where we begin with addressing God as the One who controls all things, with worship and praise of Him, acknowledging His plan over our own, asking for what we need (not want), confessing our sins and repenting, then ending with requests. Notice that request section is at the end.

It’s awesome what German theologian, Meister Eckhart, in the late 1200s said, “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”

Try filling your prayer time for one day with nothing but praises. Try filling another day of prayer for comfort and peace in the lives of those around you. Fill a day of prayer for the lost souls around your community to find and know God.

Prayer is a powerful thing.

Paul challenges the Roman church to, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12) Imagine the change when we pray daily and set the example in life, love, words, actions.

“Good Friday” is April 10 and Easter is April 12. Write this challenge on your calendar: On one or both of these days go to a spot near your home and pray. Go to the courthouse steps and pray for leadership, discernment, God to shine in and through all. Go to school building parking lots-for our teachers/administrators/staff to be the good our students need, and for our students and all to find and live for God. Stop by grocery and convenience store parking lots-pray for all who enter to come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Pick an intersection and pray over the passengers who pass to get plugged in and grow with a church family. Go to a church building steps-to be filled with God’s word and to connect and be what God desires.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Then pray more. Each day pray, and on Good Friday and Easter celebrate, Gods freedom over sin, praying for others. #bethegood

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com.