Prayer is powerful. We are told in James 5 that the prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective. Do you believe it? I can admit that I have struggled at times to believe it. My head knows what the scripture says but my heart at times doubts. There have been times when God has clearly answered prayers. And there are things I have been praying for-for years without apparent answer. Despite everything, I always come back to prayer.  Over the years I have seen enough to trust prayer and doubt less. I have prayed continually for my husband and children and countless family and friends. I have learned to see God at work even when He seems silent. Recently, though, my prayer life was jump started again when I read this scripture:

Ephesians 1 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

What a powerful prayer! I read it over and over and committed to pray it daily for specific people in my life. I felt strongly that if I took these words from Paul seriously, there would be a noticeable change. I have added in the names of the persons I’m praying this for as I read the scripture. I have been doing this for a few weeks now.  God has already blown me away. Hearts are changing. I’m thankful for every little positive change I see.

I challenge you to commit to praying this for someone on your heart. Insert their name into the prayer. Pray daily. Then thank God for every little change you see.  Remember to be looking for them. Sometimes they are subtle but always significant. Maybe the name you need to insert is your own. Maybe God is challenging you to let Him do a mighty work in your heart.

Are you in? Leave a comment below and join me in praying this over those who need an increase in their faith. Then share how God is at work through this prayer.