How I Know Prayer Works

Posted by edjames on Jul 11, 2010 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

OK, that is a little easier to read then apply. I have been working since I was 10 ½ years old. I have never been without a job until now. That is scary. However, I am only a tiny bit scared. Why, because I know God answers prayers. Prayer works!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Like I said, I am only a little bit scared, but being joyful, is a stretch for me. However, one thing I do know for sure, prayer works.

How I know that Prayer Works

Let me share with two prayer stories and how I know that I know Jesus is working in my life.

About sixteen years ago, I smoked cigarettes. Now I tried many, but I always returned to the terrible habit. I was a closet smoker. I never smoked in public, especially at church. One day, I was outside of church and one of the children asked me if they could borrow a lighter for the pastor to light the candles. I asked, what made her think I had a lighter. She replied, “Well you smoke and smokers carry a lighter, we can smell the smoke on you.” BUSTED! At that point, I realized I was a terrible example for children and it really bothered me. That night for the first time I asked, no I cried out to Jesus, to help me end this habit. The next day I had a business trip to Houston and every free minute I had, I went to my rental car and prayed. I never had another cigarette. So how do I really know this was a prayer miracle for me? Many people quit smoking without God. I have NEVER had an urge to smoke, not one bit, no matter the situation. When Jesus works He does it right. To this day every time I see a smoker, I pray that Jesus will help them quit smoking. This also severs as a reminder to me how Jesus helps me through prayer. Prayer works.

Several years ago, I spent 2 weeks in Egypt and then was to meet up with group of Christian, and discover my Jewish Roots. I ended up in the Airport jail. After waiting 6 hours in customs, the officials decided to deny me entry and send me back to Egypt. There I was in this little room with six Russians that smoked like fiends. Talk about praying as hard as I could. Well to make a long story short, the following day one of the couples I was meeting asked aloud, “I wonder if Ed made it here”. A custom official over heard her mention my FIRST name. They approached and asked if they knew Ed James, yes they replied. Free at last, yes, free at last. What are the odds? My friends, prayer works!