Prayer a Powerful Message

Following the death of my 12-year-old son, Larry Zane, the Lord has highlighted for me the power of prayer.

Prayer has been a significant part of my life for many years. It must be noted, however, that the practice and application have varied at different seasons throughout this journey called life.

I wish it could be said of me that "He has always been consistent in his prayer time."

Truth be known, that hasn't always been the case. I have learned that prayer time is never wasted time. As my family has wandered down the path of death, this truth has become a beacon.

Many thousands of people have and are continuing to pray for us daily. What a tremendous blessing.

As a family, we can give testimony to the fact that God uses the unselfish prayers of His people as a "soothing balm." We have been comforted knowing that we have been and are continuing to be prayed for.

Not a day goes by that someone from somewhere doesn't stop me to say "I've been praying for you and your family." All of these prayers have been answered by God. As a family we have felt and are continuing to feel the positive impact of these prayers unselfishly offered up to God.

One of the great truths God has revisited with me during this season of loss is found in the practice of prayer — individually. Often it is with purposed desire that we attempt to come before the throne of God's grace.

In simple terms, we come before Him with selfish motives. "God give me this" or "God let me do that." We often take the passage of scripture found in John 14:13-14, in which the Lord Jesus tells us a worthy truth, out of context. "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

James clarifies this passage when he writes in James 4:3 the following truth, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…"

The prevalent truth seen in Jesus' comments on prayer is always this; true prayer is to center on God's will for us not on our will for God.

As we pray, may we pray with this attitude. May we ask the Lord to temper our hearts to the spiritual and physical needs of those around us so that we may pray effectively for them and for ourselves. Remember to pray — It's a powerful practice.

The Rev. Richard P. Dugger is pastor of First Baptist Church in Bonners Ferry and member of Boundary County Ministerial Association.