Every morning we hear some terrible news: Riots somewhere. Corruption somewhere else. Children harmed. Leaders shouting. Wars brewing. Prices rising. Hatred spreading faster than kindness. And after reading all this, almost everybody says the same sentence in despair:
“What is happening to our country?”
Or even more dramatically:
“What is happening to the world?”
And I often feel like asking quietly, “What is happening to your prayers?”
Because maybe the problem is not that evil has become stronger. Maybe the problem is that prayer has become weaker.
Not casual prayer.
Not sleepy prayer muttered before bed while already thinking of tomorrow’s breakfast.
But persistent prayer.
Prayer that rises again and again before God.
The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
Not pray occasionally.
Not pray only when there is an examination, surgery, election or financial crisis.
Pray without ceasing.
There is another extraordinary story Jesus tells in Luke 11. A man goes to his neighbour at midnight asking for bread. The neighbour refuses initially because the family is asleep. But the man keeps knocking. Keeps asking. Keeps persisting. And finally the door opens.
Why?
Because persistence moved the heart of the neighbour.
I know of a priest who kneels down and prays over newspaper items which trouble him. A report of violence. A child gone missing. A corrupt leader. A war. A flood. He places his hand over the newspaper and prays. Simple prayer. Quiet prayer. But powerful prayer.
And I sometimes wonder what would happen if thousands of us started doing the same thing every morning instead of only feeling angry, helpless or afraid.
Can you and I do that?
Let’s start.
Many people today ask, “If God knows everything, why should we pray?”
Maybe because prayer is not information for God. Prayer is invitation.
God waits for man to ask.
Again and again in the Bible you see miracles following prayer. Moses prays and the sea parts. Elijah prays and fire falls from heaven.
Hannah prays and receives a child. Daniel prays and lions cannot touch him. The disciples pray and prison doors open.
The Bible is not merely a book of theology.
It is a book filled with astonishing results of prayer.
But today we have become a generation that reads headlines more than Scripture.
We know every scandal in the country but do not know the promises of God.
And then we wonder why fear has increased.
If you do not believe me, open your Bible today. Read chapter after chapter slowly. Watch how prayer changes battles, kings, nations and ordinary lives. Then read the Psalms and see how David constantly cried out to God in joy and thanksgiving over answered prayer.
And after reading, you too will begin praising God like David did, but only after you and I are on our knees praying for it..!
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
