“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts feeble. But since the power of prayer rests in the one who hears it, and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” -Max Lucado

I am often troubled by the nagging need to say just the right words to get God to listen to me. Sometimes this expectation of the perfect prayer will prevent me from even starting the request. Lucado points out that it doesn’t matter what we say or how we say it because the power to respond, to make the change, to grant the request, does not lie with us, but with God. What matters is that we pray, and I will add, “without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

There was a time in my life when I felt that I could secure the perfect weather day by praying just the right words and always adding “thy will not mine be done.” I thought of it as a kind of magic formula. The thing was that when the perfect weather day didn’t happen, I took the blame. I hadn’t done something correctly; I was wrong.

You bet I was wrong! I was not the one who was hearing the prayer. I am not the one with the power. Once I gave up control of the weather and other aspects of my life to the Wonderful Counselor, I received the freedom to pray for anything, leaving the result and responsibility to the Almighty God. Yes, it is a complete capitulation to a Higher Power.

The phrase “Christ is the cure giver” is a constant reminder for Stephen Ministers. When we begin to think that we have the answer and if people would only listen to us, we whisper that phrase and remember that God is the one with the power to cure and to change.

In this time of expectation and reflection, take the opportunity to be present with God. Ask for whatever you want, in whatever way you want. Be assured that God will listen and not turn away your request because of grammatical errors or inaccurate words or phrasing. God loves to hear your prayers. God loves you unconditionally. Your prayers do make a difference.

Terri