SATURDAY September 8, 2018
Prayer Changes Things!
Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
1 Samuel 1:17-18
God used Eli the priest as a leader to tell Hannah, “Go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” Eli took a leap of faith and made a proclamation: “You will have a baby.” God had seen Hannah’s heart and answered her prayer.
Notice, through faith and through prayer, there was an instant change of Hannah’s countenance, attitude and personality. Her life was changed through prayer. She believed through faith and received from the Lord her petition. Prayer is so powerful; it can change the heart of a man or a woman––totally. Prayer changes things! It can change a person’s heart.
The Lord can even change and direct a king’s heart: The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes (Proverbs 21:1). When King David repented of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, he asked the Lord to cleanse his heart: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
Although David reaped the consequences for his sin, God got hold of his heart. He repented and was back in fellowship with God.
Prayer is important. Knowing that God can change the direction of a person’s life through prayer, we should never give up praying for someone. Whether you are praying for a backslidden family member, a friend or even a king, know that prayer changes things. How we need to pray every morning and evening––every day, week, month and year.
God shapes the world by prayer.
~E. M. Bounds~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!