4th-10th November 2024
Have you ever asked the following question, ‘Does prayer make any difference?’
It may seem like a strange question to raise at the start of a prayer diary and, when I consider my own response, I immediately think, ‘Of course it does, everyone knows prayer makes a difference’.
That’s right, isn’t it?
If we truly believe that prayer makes a difference, why is it such a struggle to take time, prioritise, follow through and spend time in conversation with our Heavenly Father?
How often do we say to others, ‘I’ll remember you in prayer’ or ‘I’ll keep you in my prayers’, full of good intentions and yet invariably we often fail to follow through on those intentions and end up feeling guilty and ashamed that we couldn’t take the time to do as we said we would!
I wonder if part of the issue is that we lose sight of God as our loving, Heavenly Father who knows us, loves us and is eager to have a personal relationship with us. He wants to hear us cry out to him, to be open with him, to be real.
What are these barriers that hold us back and make us reticent to embracing the privilege and wonder of prayer? Do we struggle to trust God, to accept that he is in control and we are not? Do we lean on our own understanding, thinking we have a measure of control and an ability to sort things out without asking God for his help? Are we willing to recognise and accept that in everything we do God’s desire is that we are aware of his presence and that we acknowledge him and actually engage in a relationship with him?
I believe, when we are willing to trust God with all our hearts and acknowledge him in everything that we are doing, it is like a good friendship.
Good friendships are where conversations move effortlessly from one thing to another and much ground is covered because we love to share our experiences, whether good or bad with those we value and love. Think of the last time you met with a friend. What was that like, how did it feel, how did the conversation flow? Did you laugh, did you cry, did you share good things and challenging things, how fast did the time pass?
How much more then should we willingly and expectantly engage in conversation with our Heavenly Father about everything that is happening in our lives and everything that is on our minds – the things we enjoy and the difficult things we are uncertain how to navigate.
Surely, we must recognise that prayer, a conversation with God, does make a difference because, when we come to God in prayer, he listens, he understands and most importantly he knows what we need and how best to answer our prayers.
So, as we come to pray this week, let’s come recognising that prayer does make a difference and we should pray consistently without ceasing because God is listening and interested in what we have to say to him because he loves us and cares for us.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder to ask, knock and seek you. It’s incredible that this is what you want me to do. Ask you for what I need, seek you for your help, knock and expect the door to be opened. Help me to grasp the significance of this invitation and the reality that prayer does make a difference. (Take time to talk to God about the things that are on your mind). Amen.
TUESDAY
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened … how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:7-8 & 10
Thank you, Father, for the promise to give, find and open when I come to you in prayer. Help me to be encouraged, to pray often, boldly and confidently. Help me not to doubt the importance of prayer and your availability regardless of whether I ask, seek or knock. Thank you that as my Heavenly Father you never slumber or sleep but are aware of all that is happening in my life. Help me to realise that you are waiting, waiting for me to come to you and spend time in conversation with you. Help me to take the time to enjoy you today. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:8
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that this is for everyone who knows and loves you. No one is excluded, not even me! Help me to overcome my timidity and hesitancy in prayer and to boldly come to you with my petitions and requests. Help me to be thankful and realise these verses are for me, not someone else. (Take time in personal prayer with your Father in heaven). I love you, Father. Amen.
THURSDAY
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11
Heavenly Father, forgive me when I fail to recognise you for who you are, my Heavenly Father. To think the Creator of this world is my Father is just overwhelming. Thank you that the implications of this are that you will never leave me, or forsake me, you will never give me anything that is bad for me because you are my loving Father and know what I need and what I am able to carry. Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Help me to recognise that sometimes I need to hand the heavy things over to you and allow you to sustain me. Amen.
FRIDAY
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that no matter how good or bad my experience of an earthly father is, my Heavenly Father is always better and knows what is best for me. Help me to recognise your love for me and your desire to help me be transformed into the person I am truly meant to be in Christ. Thank you for starting a work in my life and promising to complete. Amen.
SATURDAY
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the right to become your child through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me and adopting me into your family. Thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for me, encourage me, spur me on, challenge me and help me grow in my faith. Father, would you encourage them as they seek to love as you love. Help me to also love others in the same way that you love them. Thank you for my spiritual family at Glenabbey. Amen.
SUNDAY
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:7-11
Heavenly Father, thank you for only giving good gifts to me. Thank you for not giving a stone or snake. Help me to come to you, recognising my need of you and your constant desire to help me in my life. Help me not to seek solutions to my issues from within my own resources without first coming to you to ask, seek and knock. Help me to be dependant rather than seeking independence. Help me to trust you with the unknown. Help me to be patient and to wait on your timing, on your answer. Help me to believe that prayer makes a difference and to continue to come to you in prayer in every circumstance that I may encounter. Amen.