The Power of Prayer
Praying as a Christian is one of the most important things you can do, for your own life and for others. And yet, for something so simple, prayer can feel incredibly hard.
I have every opportunity to pray throughout the day, but so often I don’t. I get distracted, consumed by my own thoughts or the chaos around me. Maybe you can relate.
Here’s the truth: most of us don’t pray the way God invites us to. We treat it like a task, a ritual, or a last resort. But prayer isn’t about eloquence or long speeches. It’s not a performance. Prayer is relationship. It’s a conversation with your Father. It’s showing up, in honesty, in weakness, in worship.
You don’t need to pray for 30 minutes straight. Prayer can look like a string of quick check-ins throughout the day. God knows your heart, and that’s what He’s after. The treasures of Heaven aren’t measured by the length of your prayer, but by the condition of your heart when you pray.
For years, I struggled with this. I thought I had to pray just right, long enough, formal enough, like I was trying to earn God’s attention. Sometimes, I treated prayer like a formula to get what I needed. But God isn’t a genie in a bottle. He’s not a vending machine or a wish-granter. He’s the Creator of your life and even your breath calls His name with every inhale and exhale.
So how often do you pray about the situations in your life?
My Mother once told me, “You pray until you feel peace about it.” I’ve also heard pastors say, “Pray until you get an answer.” Some people have prayed for years over one thing, some have seen breakthroughs, and some are still waiting. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I just try to stay close to the Holy Spirit and trust His timing.
Sometimes, I’ll pray once and feel at peace. Other times, I’ll keep praying for weeks or months until I feel released. Some people say repeated prayer means you’re not trusting God. Others say it’s a sign of seeking peace and connection.
Here’s what Scripture says:
- “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
- Jesus told a parable about the persistent widow in Luke 18:1–8, reminding us not to give up in prayer.
- Daniel prayed three times a day: Daniel 6:10, showing us that regular, structured prayer is powerful.
So, what’s the answer? Keep your heart aligned with God. Ask Him how He wants you to pray. Seek Him through His Word. Listen for His voice. Worship even when it’s quiet. Don’t rush to speak — sometimes the most powerful prayer is stillness before Him.
In the middle of your chaos, God sees peace.
Be blessed this week. Stay strong in mind and in prayer.
Be a relationship builder. Be a disciple.
Teach others what it means to follow Him.
– Doug
