The River of Prayer
This week’s Word For The Week has been contributed by June G. It’s well worth considering in the light of your own life. Prayer should not be “religious” but full of life!
James 5:16-18 (The Message) The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
Just recently I have been watching a series of programmes called “The River”. In it Gryff Rhys Jones explores several rivers and canals in England. Industries and towns have emerged along their banks, bringing life and prosperity to communities. The river made a difference to the area; it changed the landscape and life of the land. They are like the veins of England. Water is essential for life to exist.
In Acts 16 Paul and his companions travelled to Philippi and went outside the city gate to a river expecting to find a place of prayer they sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One woman called Lydia, who was a dealer in purple cloth, listened and the Lord opened her heart and she responded to the message of Gospel. She and her whole household were baptised in that river there and then. That river was significant to that community from then on.
Prayer is very much like a river. It brings life to lives and situations, as well as the person who is doing the praying. As water is essential for life so is prayer for the believer. Prayer does not have to be long to be effective, it just has to be sincere and with faith. Listen to the prayer of a child, it’s direct and simple. We can pray anywhere, anytime for anything, no matter how small or large the need. God can do immeasurably more than we ask, think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Get ready for God to surprise you!