The Power of Prayer

My friend and neighbor was in the hospital for what could have been a relatively simple procedure to improve the efficiency of his heart. However, if the procedure failed, he would need to have open heart surgery — something his weakened body might not be able to tolerate. My prayer was simple and repetitive: “O Lord, please allow the simple procedure to be successful.” I am sure that many other prayers of a similar nature were uttered by his loved ones.

The doctors attempted the procedure three times, and it failed each time. But the next morning, the doctors were amazed to find that things had changed overnight. Despite everything they had observed the day before, the procedure had in fact been successful, and my friend was sent home. The doctors had no medical explanation. I recalled the words of Isaiah 55:9, which reminded me that God’s healing power is not limited by the ways and thoughts of humans.

Not all prayers are answered in dramatic fashion, and not all are answered as we would like. However, all prayers are answered in accordance with God’s will and timeline, and all prayers serve to draw us into closer communion with our Lord.