From Struggle to Strength: The Role of Prayer
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the profound impact of prayer, especially after my recent interview with my grandmother. For the past 20 years, she has participated in a prayer group, where she and her close friends connect via a shared phone line every day at 4:30 AM. Together, they pray for one another, their families, and friends.
Twenty years of unwavering dedication to prayer demonstrates the transformative power it holds. In Episode 1 of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman Podcast, I asked my grandmother around the 10-minute mark how prayer has changed her. She shared a poignant moment when prayer prompted her to meet with her four sons, all under the age of ten. In the wake of her husband’s sudden departure, she expressed her expectations of them: to always show respect for their father. Despite the pain of betrayal, she allowed the Lord to guide her through prayer.
In James 5:13-15, the writer asks: “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Call the elders of the church to pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. If you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (NLT)
James emphasizes that in times of struggle, we should pray—some translations even say we must pray. But why is this necessary? After all, God knows our needs; He is omniscient.
I believe the act of praying is more for us than for God.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an “act” as the process of doing something, while “action” refers to the accomplishment of a task over time, often involving stages or repetition. Growth—whether in nature or in our spiritual lives—follows a process. Consider the transformation of a butterfly: each stage requires action to advance to the next, reflecting a beautiful metamorphosis. Prayer is the activation of our faith, a means through which the Lord strengthens us and imparts wisdom.
As James 2:14 states: “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” The study notes for this verse in the NLT Life Application Study Bible highlight that true faith must transform our conduct as well as our beliefs. If our lives remain unchanged, we may not truly believe the truths we profess.
If genuine faith requires action, then we should actively pray, allowing the Lord to transform us into new creations. Like the butterfly, we should emerge from our struggles looking different, having undergone a profound change.
My grandmother’s faith, activated through prayer, reshaped her response to abandonment, illustrating the power of transformation.
What situations in your life are calling for a shift in perspective? I have a significant hardship on my mind, and I am actively praying about it.
To God Be the Glory, Forever and Ever. Amen.
References: Publishers, Tyndale House. NLT Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition . Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.