Our loved one is sick and needs a critical surgery. We can’t do the surgery ourselves, we can’t heal them ourselves, but we can pray. We can stand beside that hospital bed and cry out to God. We ask everyone we know to join us as we do. We do this because love prays.
We are on our way home when an ambulance races by. We can’t help them, we most likely don’t know the person inside, but we can pray. We pause for a moment and intercede for the patient and for those working to save a life. We do this because love prays.
Our community gets hit by a tornado and many lose their homes and everything they own. We can’t just go out and build a new home for them, we don’t have the funds to replace all their earthly belongings, but we can pray. We gather as a community and support them in prayer. We do this because love prays.
We hear the latest update of people sick, suffering, and dying from the coronavirus. We can’t save them, we can’t heal the hurt for their loved ones, but we can pray. We can join with people across the world and bring those suffering and dying and their loved ones to Christ in prayer. We do this because love prays.
We all want to make a difference in this great, big world. We want to make a real impact, but we may not always know how. We may not have the knowledge, the money, or the connections. What we can do won’t nearly be enough, but we can pray.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
For some, praying is more of a last resort. We’d rather get to work, do it ourselves, and see results quickly so we don’t have to wait. Then, when we’ve exhausted all the things we can do on our own with no success, we pray. But really, praying should be our go-to first response! Prayer connects us with God and allows us to be part of His team.
Prayer is one of the most powerful, pure ways we can love others. It may not seem like enough, but prayer is one of the greatest things we can do.
Prayer make the impossible possible. Our prayers are not powerful because of our own doing or our own strength. That would be giving ourselves way too much credit. They are so powerful because God meets us in our prayers. The power and strength of our prayers are in the One who hears our prayers, not the one saying them.
You might think your prayers make no difference, but that is simply not the truth. God works through all things, and all things are possible with Him.
My husband and I lived thousands of miles from our family when he was diagnosed with a giant brain aneurysm. Our loved ones were far away, and they weren’t sure what they could do or how they could help. But they prayed. They called and sent cards to say they were praying. They put him on prayer lists. They asked others to pray. Prayers were being said around the world — and this was all before communication was as easy as a text. A lot of time, effort, and love was put into all that praying.
There was no denying the awesome power of prayer. We both felt the love and support of those prayers, and we know they made a difference because we didn’t know how we would get through such a traumatic thing. We did because of the prayer of others.
So, stay the course and keep praying. Don’t quit. Keep knocking. Our prayers make a difference.
In addition to writing live-giving words, Jennifer Ueckert also creates live-giving art. Check out her uplifting prints and paintings at StudioJRU.com
[bctt tweet=”Prayer is one of the most powerful, pure ways we can love others. It may not seem like enough, but prayer is one of the greatest things we can do. #loveoverall #loveprays -Jennifer Ueckert:” username=”incourage”]
Leave a Comment
Tammy L Edmonds says
This is such an awesome post and your words really blessed me this morning.
Thank you!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh I am so grateful to hear that, Tammy. Thank you!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
Beautiful post! I recently read this quote on prayer by E.M. Bounds – a minister and chaplain during the Civil War. This is what he had to say: “God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that utter them may be closed in death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God’s heart is set on them. Prayers outlive the lives of those that uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.” We can never underestimate the power of our prayers! How is your awesome art project coming? Have you been able to return to it?
Blessings and prayers,
Bev xx
Cynthia McGarity says
This is gorgeous Bev. Thanks for sharing.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Cynthia,
Isn’t the idea of “deathless prayers” encouraging and hope-giving?!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jennifer Ueckert says
What a fantastic quote! Thanks so much for sharing, Bev. My art project is coming along slower than I would have hoped. I just keep telling myself, His timing! xo
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
You’ve been through so much…understandable that art has had to take a back seat. Praying you’ve been feeling better and getting some good creativity going. Slow and steady wins the race 😉
Bev xx
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you, sweet friend! xo
Michele Morin says
Prayer appears to be so inconsequential–words said, no action, no visible recipient of the words.
For the do-ers in the world, it’s an act of the will to say, “This time spent in prayer is more productive than any action I could take on my own.”
Blessings to you, Jennifer. I think we’re all feeling a bit out of touch with our people these days and needed this reminder that we can speak into their needs, meaningfully and effectually, via prayer.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Yes, Michele! Time in prayer is never wasted!
Jas says
Sisters, there is so much to pray about in this time. Can I ask for prayers for a Syrian refugee family stuck in Turkey. I’m working with others on making a short film that will hopefully get them traction to their situation from the agencies with the power to move them on to the UNHCR list for resettlement. It’s a complicated process and they are a big family. They are in touch through Facebook with colleagues of mine. I’m not sure if it will help and weep certainly are not giving false hope.
I understand we as a world are facing great challenges and uncertainty with a Covid. I just ask that if you have time and feel moved to add them to your daily prayers as long story short it will only be a mighty hand of Hod that makes obstacles move…
Great post.
Love Jas
Jennifer Ueckert says
Joining you in prayer for this precious family, Jas!
Beth Williams says
Jas,
Just asked Abba Father to work on their behalf. Do His will in this situation. Most importantly please keep the family together., They are added to my prayer list!
Blessings 🙂
Jas says
Sisters, there is so much to pray about in this time. Can I ask for prayers for a Syrian refugee family stuck in Turkey. I’m working with others on making a short film that will hopefully get them traction to their situation from the agencies with the power to move them on to the UNHCR list for resettlement. It’s a complicated process and they are a big family. They are in touch through Facebook with colleagues of mine. I’m not sure if it will help and weep certainly are not giving false hope.
I understand we as a world are facing great challenges and uncertainty with a Covid. I just ask that if you have time and feel moved to add them to your daily prayers as long story short it will only be the mighty hand of God that makes obstacles move…
Great post.
Love Jas
Jennifer Adams says
Yes! I don’t understand it, but I believe our prayers move the heart of God!
Jennifer Ueckert says
He meets us right there, doesn’t He, Jennifer?! Grateful!
Sharon says
Thank you for these timely words. We had a “blow-up” in our office yesterday, fueled by pent up resentment and frustration centered around a co-worker. Even though I had repeatedly prayed for forgiveness for a judgmental spirit and the anger which flared up against this employee, I found myself, again, having to repent and beg forgiveness as the anger threatened to overwhelm me, and cry out for wisdom and strength to change my heart. Prayer has a healing effect upon a broken spirit. Prayer infuses fresh hope and excitement in the possibilities for the here-and-now and the future.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh it sure does, Sharon! Prayer is so powerful… because He is so powerful. So grateful you could turn to prayer in those moments. Grateful we all can!
Heidi Roesli says
Your words jumped off the page at me this morning! Yesterday, in a 1 hour period: my 8-year-old Grandson went in for major oral surgery; my Stepdaughter in another state found out at 38 ½ weeks that her baby was breech and my other Grandson’s Daddy tested positive for Covid (many family members exposed). For a second, I felt helpless until God reminded me who He is. My Growth Group from church started praying; my family prayed. We have confidence in our faithful loving God and His perfect will and ways. My Grandson is doing well. Last night our healthy Granddaughter was born. And we will keep praying for the rest of the family, confident that God is faithful and He walks with us! Thank you for sharing your words!!
Jennifer Ueckert says
That is all so much, but what a beautiful thing to see how God has already been answering those prayers! Congratulations on the new little one! Joining you in prayer for your family, Heidi!
Kelly G says
This reads like poetry! Beautiful ♥
Jennifer Ueckert says
What a beautiful thing to say, Kelly. Thank you!
Penny says
Beautifully said Jennifer, thank-you for sharing your words of encouragement this morning.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you so much, Penny!
Penny says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, and for your loved ones, to stay safe, healthy and keep well.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Jennifer Ueckert says
I know everyone appreciates your prayers, Penny! Thank you! And we pray for you as well!
Camilla Hubbard says
Thanks for the reminder, Jennifer – I do so love these incourage posts. I thought you may like to know that I am in the process of publishing my book of mainly Christian poetry, (through Westbow Press in USA , although I am 80 years old and lIve in Australia.) I mention it because 2 of the sections are called Aspects of Prayeer, and True Stories of God’s Grace. The book is called Living and Learning, and will be available as an eBook as well as soft and hard covers.
One is called the Power of Prayer, and others are written in an attirude of prayer. My pen-name is Camilla Diann, if you were interested. May God bless you abundantly with your projects for Him.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh that is wonderful, Camilla! Congratulations!
Mishawn Styles says
It’s interesting that tonight I was listening to a podcast/Facebook stream from Incourage whereas last night I was quite discouraged. Thank you for your obedience and your voice. You are reaching and impacting me more than you will ever know. Your devotional book reminded me that my “devotion” had shifted away from God and towards “doing and being.”
P.S. It was no accident that I saw this message tonight.
Jennifer Ueckert says
I do love how God works! So happy you found the message when you did, Mishawn!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
I believe Prayer and reading God word plus Standing on the Promises in God word are the most powerful things we have today. Especially when everything else seems to go wrong. We can count on God to hear our Prayer and us Claiming his word and the promises in it. Saying them to ourselves and believing them no matter what we are going through. Believing God will answer our prayers. Do you know what Even when we Cry in these times God keep all our tear in Bottle and he says my Child I know what your going through I love you it will be ok. If for ourselves or for a family members who is no well and be told by the doctors bad news or we or they have lost their jobs. We wonder how we are going to cope. We yes it natural do panic. We are human. But we have big big mighty God who help us get through all we are going through. I along with my Husband everyday read psalm 91 and apply the Armor of God over our lives. In Eph 6. If any one ask me how I am I say. I trusting Dr God as I call God. I only go to the Doctors when God tells me too. Yes God gaves us Doctors and Nurses things like that to make us well plus medicine and treatment in Hospital. Then I say I am trusting Gods Word the Bible and Standing on the Promises in it and Prayer. I say that not to give the Old Devil a foot hold to take what I say out of mouth and use it against me. If anyone ask me to pray for someone not well. I will of course pray for them as God would want me too. If they are not saved to make it see their need to get saved. How much Jesus loves them. How God can heal them direct through Himself or though Doctors and treatment they need if seriously ill. Then I Pray for person if saved that they will know God is with them and he will take them through it all. Ask God to heal him should it be direct through him or the Doctors or treatment the person my need. The Family not worry about their love one but hand them over to God in Prayer and know they are in Gods hands. That the way I pray for people like that. Prayer is wonderful thing. Knowing Jennifer you had Family and Friends praying for your Husband even though you lived so far away they sent cards which was lovely of them. Knowing God was there. Meant alot it helped. But I know it wouldn’t have been the same as having them there to give you a big big hug. Plus be by your side to be there for you. But knowing they where Praying gave you that extra piece. Along with God by your side. You had the strengh to be there all by your husband side. God seen you safely get through it all. God help you cope. See we do have a big big mighty God. Where would we be without him. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xxxx ps Praying for you all incourage.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Dawn! It was a long process (months) with my husband, but my mom did come out to help and again for the surgery and my husband’s mom came for the surgery. So I did have those hugs and someone by my side as well as all the prayers! We do have a big mighty God!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
This post is spot on today! People don’t realize how powerful prayer can be. God wants us to have a relationship with Him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Yes a loving thing to do for someone-especially in this virus time-is to pray hard for them. Not just once or twice but continually until you know they have an answer. My little prayer list is full of people-a lot from In Courage community. Each month when we have prayer time I take names & add it to my prayer list. I may never know the outcome. But I’ve done my job & hopefully made their burdens lighter.
P.S. Praying for you & your family. May God bring some healing to your body.
Blessings:)
Jennifer Ueckert says
I love knowing you have a prayer list full of people, Beth. What a beautiful thing! And thank you so much for your prayers!
Carol L. Gonzalez says
I hope your husband is doing well. We have a neighbor who went through this some time ago. These days he seems to be back to a pretty normal life.