"We prayed much more than ever before"Carla Harding - 20 Apr 2012

Prayer is precious time.  Some of my favourite stories I receive from 24-7 Prayer Rooms around the world are about the simplest but deepest felt moments.  Here are just two from the last month...

“I was afraid I would not have the words to say and prayed about it before I got there and for the first few minutes I just spoke and the Holy Spirit told me to stop and be quiet and I did about a minute later words just flowed from me and it went by so quick. It’s amazing that when we let go the living water of Jesus flows.” Australia

Why does prayer often seem intimidating or difficult to us?  I love hearing time and time again of how God has broken through our fears and feelings of inadequacy to meet with His people and pour out His love.  Encounters like these don't just impact individuals but there's nothing like the effect it can have on a community...

“We really had a great time and find 24-7 simply a wonderful experience. Yes we certainly prayed much more than ever before… It is really very encouraging to hear positive feedback such as "24-7 has softened the ground for evangelism"; "everyone is praying more"; "children are so excited"; praying for 3 hours even in the wee hours of the morning didn't seem too long!" Malaysia

Every 24-7 Prayer Room, every church, group or community that takes a chance on spending time with God, is a seed bed for something more.  Getting to know the loving, creator and His lavish love for us can't help but changes us, individually and corporately.  What happens next is anyone's guess and is played out in hundreds of different ways across the globe.  Maybe we have a little more grace or patience for those we've been struggling with.  Maybe we have the faith to take a frightening step and pray for someone who doesn't know Jesus. Maybe our hearts are broken by God's love for the poor or oppressed around us and we have no choice but to be the somebodies who do something about it.  

Prayer changes us... and through our prayers and our prayer-fuelled action we are slowly, but surely changing the world.  Our Father, meet us in prayer, make your presence and love felt.  Your Kingdom come in us, through us, in our communities as it is in heaven...  We are yours.  Lord teach us how to pray.