There’s Power in Prayer
Duh…of course there’s power in prayer, isn’t there? Haven’t we all been beneficiaries of prayer? But do we sometimes doubt that our prayers are worthy of God’s attention?
A sick horse
Peaches, my horse, has chronic stomach problems, which emerge, often with no warning, as a critical attack of colic. This twisting or blocking of the intestine can be deadly. Colic can be caused by a variety of reasons:
- Eating too much grain or hay
- A sudden change of food
- Changing food without a gradual transition
- Vigorous rolling (wallowing) on the ground
- Unknown and unexplained onset
This weekend, Peaches had a sudden onset. Saturday morning she seemed fine, but by evening she wasn’t eating (horses love to eat so we know something is wrong when they don’t). We immediately began walking, the most effective treatment for colic. Keep the horse moving, both to stimulate the digestive tract and prevent the horse from lying down as much as possible.
Usually, with Peaches, several hours of walking achieve the desired result (although in a particularly bad episode I once walked her most of the night). The goal is defecation (a poop) which signals clearing of the blockage. We walked the horse several hours with no obvious success.
The prayers of one
I prayed for my big girl.
Her condition declined overnight. By dawn’s early light I found a weakened horse, but she came willingly to me, seeking help. We walked more. When she tired and refused to walk, we turned in circles. I called in a substitute for my Sunday School class and we walked more.
As worship leader, I needed to be at church, so we left our girl on the ground. Upon arrival at church, we fielded questions about her and learned of multiple prayers for Peaches. Our Pastor offered another prayer during the service.
There’s POWER in PRAYER
Following the death of Jesus, His disciples spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with courage, tenacity, and perseverance. They put themselves in danger to respond to His commission:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) NIV
This calling challenged the disciples to give all. King Herod arrested many who belonged to the growing church. James was executed. Peter was seized and imprisoned.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5)
In prison, Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with chains, and guarded by sentries at the prison entrance. On the night prior to his trial, an angel appeared and brought light into the cell. The chains fell away from Peter’s wrists and at the angel’s direction, Peter dressed and put on his sandals (Acts 12).
(Isn’t it awesome that God thought of the “little” things, too? Like putting on clothes before walking through the town?)
Led down the street by the angel, Peter realized he wasn’t dreaming. He was free!
Fully awake, he walked to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people gathered and were praying. (Acts 12:12)
Answered Prayer
Many people prayed for Peter. He was released to continue his ministry.
I don’t mean to place my horse’s life in the same category as Peter’s miraculous release from prison. However, I’m humbled by God’s answer to my prayers and those of my church family. After church, Peaches met me at the gate, still exhausted, reluctant to walk, but as she brought her head close to mine, I sensed her need to try again.
We plodded down a slope into a familiar pasture. As we proceeded at a snail’s pace across the pasture, still downhill, I wondered if I’d be able to get her back up the hill to the barn. If she gave up, I’d be forced to leave her.
A few more steps and we turned to start back.
Peaches stopped.
Her tail lifted.
She pooped!
Not an earth shaking event, but our own little miracle. An answered prayer.
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonder he has done, his miracles (1 Chronicles 16:8-12a)