The Changes of Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:6-7

Believers around the world know an essential truth that sometimes baffles unbelievers: prayer produces miracles. Many of us have witnessed—or have had friends who saw—remarkable changes in attitude, medical diagnoses or agonizing grief as a result of relentless prayer. We believe it; we embrace it.

And we are definitely not alone. In 2013 a Pew Research Center poll revealed that more than 50 percent of Americans pray every day. The year before, a similar poll showed that 75 percent of us think daily prayer is vital. Curious about the effects of prayer, a number of scientific studies demonstrated that prayer improves our self-control, makes us kinder and more forgiving, improves trust in relationships and reduces stress. Obviously, even if a miracle is not in our future, prayer makes us better people.

But one effect that the studies overlook is how prayer improves our relationship with the Lord. Daily conversation moves us closer into His embrace, opens our minds to His wisdom and allows our hearts to love Him more than ever before. When we go to God with praise and petition, we come away with immeasurable peace and a true understanding of how much we can trust Him.

Today’s One Thing

Spend some time with God in silence, cherishing all He’s done in your life.

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