Yes, Prayer Does Make A Difference

We know that God does not listen to sinners,

But if anyone is a worshiper of God and does

His will, God listens to him.

                                        John 9:31 ESV 

     Years ago I read a story about an elderly church janitor who vacuumed the entire sanctuary without plugging into the power source. He worked and worked to make the floors spotless for the upcoming Sunday services—to no avail. Without plugging into the electrical outlet, there was no power to lift the dirt from the floor and gather it into the vacuum bag for disposal. All his efforts made no difference because they lacked the necessary power.

     John 9:31 reminded me of this story tucked away in the closet of my mind. I began to wonder how many times my struggling to accomplish something for the Lord was just like the elderly janitor who worked so hard to do it right, but he forgot the most important part of his job—plug into the power.

     Christians have a power cord that reaches from earth to heaven. Its wires never fray and the plug never breaks off. An ice storm cannot break it and a windstorm cannot blow it down. Fire cannot melt it and years of use cannot wear it out. The longer we use it, the stronger it becomes! The moment we accept the gift of eternal salvation from our Heavenly Father, we have access to the most powerful resource known to man—PRAYER!

     John, the beloved disciple, gives us his three-point sermon on prayer. Worship God! Do His will! God listens!

     God’s children matter to Him. Does your prayer life run hot and cold with times of no prayer and then times of abundant praying? Do you “handle” the little things without bothering to talk to God about them because you think He is too busy for the small details of your life? Are your prayers encased in doctrine and theology rather than a heart-conversation with your Father? Have you simply given up on prayer because you think you are not good enough?

     The questions could go on and on. But the truth is God loves to hear the voice of His children as we worship Him and as we plug into the power source of prayer. If you do not believe me, why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Worship God, do His will and pray! God listens, and yes— prayer does make a difference!

© Joyce Powell