Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6-7
Some time ago I saw a bumper sticker which read “Prayer changes things.” How true that is! I recall a time when I faced a very difficult situation, I, as a person, did not know which way to turn or what to do. That night, as I lay fitfully tossing and turning in bed, I picked up my phone and asked a friend to pray for me and my circumstances. She said she would take my request to her prayer group that very evening. A little later that same evening I suddenly stopped turning. I instantly felt that a great burden had been lifted from my shoulders and that everything would work out O.K. The next morning I still had the problem, BUT I also had the spiritual resources and faith that things would be resolved. Indeed they were!
I also remember a case in England 200 years ago where a famous atheist speaker kept bullyragging a country pastor to debate the existence of God. The pastor finally agreed, with the following stipulation: “I will show up with 100 people who will each be willing to testify that belief in God and prayer has materially benefited their lives. You must in turn bring 100 people who will be willing to testify that being an atheist has benefited their lives. The pastor and his 100 showed up. They waited and waited. The atheist never showed up.
Thank you God, while you may not give me all that I want, you always give me what I need.
