Is Prayer Useless?

Have you ever despaired over unanswered prayer? It just wasn’t working. I get that. I’ve battled those thoughts too, especially when tragedy strikes the innocent. Then again, I’ve also experienced many times when I’ve received answers much better than I deserved. Are we thinking that all should go smoothly for us even when we behave terribly? Could it be that we have a wrong idea about prayer? It is not a magic charm to get whatever we want. Consider the following contrasts.

We praise and honor people who make beautiful things or achieve marvelous skills, and rightly so. Prayer includes honor and praise to our Creator for the incomparable wonders of creation.

We thank a hostess for a delicious meal, well done! Prayer is an opportunity to thank the One who provided us with a world in which a fantastic array of food can be grown?

When our conscience bothers us because of a terrible thing we did to someone else we are urged to confess and make it right. Good idea! How about the many times we have simply ignored, insulted or even rejected the God who made us? Prayer is intended to include seeking forgiveness.

We resort to the legal system to advocate for us when injustice has been served to us. Fair game! We are also invited through prayer to intercede for oppressed people and those in need.

Counselors are asked for advice to help us choose wisely. We need that. But, have we considered asking for advice from the most knowledgeable Counselor ever?

We may petition leaders at various levels of government or local organizations to provide solutions for our needs. At times that is appropriate. Do we realize that God invites us to direct our petitions to Him as well? Unfortunately these kinds of ‘gimme this’ and ‘gimme that’ prayers are all some people think prayer is about. Then, when they don’t get what they want they say prayer doesn’t work. God specializes in giving us what we need, not necessarily what we want.

Prayer is involved in all six of these situations. We could label them adoration, appreciation, confession, intercession, direction and petition. 

Prayer is important and can be effective. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 

Henry Wiebe