The Privilege of Prayer
Through the last 12 years of cancer and Floyd's illness, I have been grateful more than ever for the power of prayer. Whatever I was facing, I could sit and talk to the Lord in prayer. When things were overwhelming, I found relief and fresh perspective as I prayed. When disappointment or discouragement was washing over my heart, I found new hope and saw how God was at work as I prayed. When I had no idea what to do when facing difficult situations, God showed me the way forward as I prayed. Prayer was truly my life-line time and time again.
I read about a study a neuro scientist named Andrew Newberg did on the brain as people prayed. He discovered that the brains of people who prayed regularly looked different from those who didn't pray. They had lower stress hormones, reduced fear, and less anxiety as a result of prayer. He wanted to prove that prayer was "just in the mind," but he proved instead that prayer changed the mind in a way of healing and rebuilding.
His work showed that prayer doesn't just change how people feel, it can actually change how the brain functions. "What you repeatedly do, think, and focus on is quietly shaping your brain every day." How wonderful to think of what prayer is doing to our brains!!
I'm not a scientist - but I knew those things from the impact of prayer in my life! I am so, so grateful for prayer!
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior: my God will hear me." Micah 7:7
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 KJB
Someone reminded me of an old song - What a Friend we Have in Jesus. I sang that song so many times growing up in church. One of the lines says "what a 'privilege' we have to carry everything to God in prayer" I'm so grateful for that privilege!!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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