The Power of Prayer

“Please let Jampa get better so he can come home,” my daughter pleaded as we said our nightly prayers. It broke my heart to see the sadness on her precious face as she earnestly asked the Lord to heal her grandfather of Alzheimer’s disease. My father-in-law had recently been placed in memory care for his safety and the well-being of his wife. The transition was hard on all of us, but my daughter seemed especially heartbroken. She didn’t like the change, and she wanted Jampa to live at his house as he always had.

Night after night, my daughter would tell me that she wanted her grandfather to come home. I gently explained the reality of the situation, trying to balance her need for comfort with the truth. Yet, she remained undeterred in her prayer request. I prayed for healing too, but with an adult’s view of the world. Instead of praying boldly, I prayed for what I thought was realistic: “Please, Lord, comfort him, be near to him, give him Your peace.” I knew there was no cure for the disease that afflicted her grandfather. Eventually, I believed she would learn the hard lesson that sometimes the answer to a prayer is “no.”

Bold vs. Timid Prayers

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
—Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Not only was I anxious about my father-in-law, but I was also anxious about my daughter’s “unrealistic” prayers. I dreaded the day when she would realize that her grandfather wouldn’t be healed and wanted to shield her heart from that grief. I took my anxiety to the Lord, but I still struggled. Prayer isn’t magic—it’s a holy conversation meant to draw us closer to the One who loves us unconditionally.

God Is Near

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
—Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

Scripture reassures us that the Lord is listening and near to all who call on Him. God answers our prayers, but not always in the way we expect. Sometimes, the answer is “no” or “not yet.” He has given us His Word, and by obeying Him, we grow in our relationship with Him. Prayer is not just for God—it’s also for us. It shapes us, changes our hearts, and provides new perspective. Through prayer, we deepen our connection with the One who knows us best.

A Lesson in Faith

My daughter taught me a powerful lesson about prayer. While I prayed with timidity, she prayed with boldness. Her grandfather was never healed from his disease, but in a surprising turn of events, he did come home. After my mother-in-law suffered a major stroke and required round-the-clock care, it made sense to care for them both in their home. My daughter never doubted for a moment that God had answered her prayer. May we all have the faith of a child.

A Prayer for Obedience

Heavenly Father, we long to walk in obedience to You. Draw us near, Lord, when we come to You in prayer. Soften our hearts, soothe our anger, and replace our despair with hope. We thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who died that we may live. Amen.