Power of Prayer....

I've experienced the power of prayer. I'm amazed by the power of prayer every time it occurs and while I understand that my prayers are not always answered immediatly or in the way I think it should be I know there is always an answer and it is powerful.

Prayer for me is highly personal. I have a very hard time praying aloud or in front of others. I also find myself awkward in sharing with others because in doing so, I am made vulnerable which in itself is awkward. I do admire people who seem to be gifted for either. Me, well I'm far better at writing them. I can be focused and concise when I write them. Where I lack eloquence in verbal prayers and experience my tongue getting tied or misspeaking I make up for it in writing them. Not every prayer is written mind you...just a large number of them and especially when in a heightened state of emotion. I find it very calming to write them out plus there is the added benefit of documenting events in my life and also when I can look back on my writings seeing how they were answered. I feel more centered or focused as a result of writing them.

Today was a day for prayer writing. I'm not under great diress but I stand in the midst of making a decision that will affect my family. I'm at a crossroad looking at 2 very different paths and my prayer was for a clear direction that I would know for sure. I prayed for wisdom and spiritual sensitivity so that I would be aware of anything that would lead me to the best decision. While my prayer is still in the process of being answered completely, I became extremely aware of the presence of God and the power of my prayer within only a short while after writing it. It's mighty funny sometimes who God chooses to use to deliver answers. Today it was a co-worker. It wasn't so much that he came in and had some great epiphany. It was simple and straight forward and I just knew. I knew the direction God was pointing me toward and that I must exercise patience until the whole thing is worked out in whole. My co-worker is very unaware of what was going on, but that's a whole other story.

I'm humbled by God's answers and apparent attention he gives me. I find it funny too that every day he is at work, but not everyday do I see it unfolding before me. Today I became very aware. He almost always backs it up too. Not only did my co-worker become a part of the answer, but also the scripture references God placed before me today and honestly all week. There are a number of other ways he backs it up too (again, a whole other story). I like it. I like that he is so very faithful to me even though I am not always faithful to him. I fail everyday and he knows it but he doesn't require me to be perfect. He only asks that I be obedient and praise him in the good and bad. He asks me to have faith.

I do have faith. I have faith in a God whom I may not be able to physically see or actually touch in ways that we as humans can relate to in the flesh. I have faith in a God who reaches down and chooses to make himself known to me and who shows me in so many ways that he is on the job. He is answering my prayers and he is powerful.

The power of prayer makes an impression on my life everyday...even on days when I scarcely pray or even realize I'm being covered by prayers from earlier praying. I'm not always aware of his workings but today, I was keenly aware and for that I am ever so grateful.

Thank you, Father God, you literally amaze me with your power, grace and favor.