When Prayer Comes Alive
It is the answered prayer which brings praying out of the realm of dry, dead things, and makes praying a thing of life and power. It is the answer to prayer which brings things to pass, changes the natural trend of things, and orders all things according to the will of God.
It is the answer to prayer which takes praying out of the regions of fanaticism and saves it from being Utopian, or from being merely fanciful. It is the answer to prayer which makes praying a power for God and for [us], and makes praying real and divine.
—Edward M. Bounds, The Possibilities of Prayer
Prayer can sometimes feel like a routine or a shot in the dark—especially when we’re in pain or feel distant from God. But as E.M. Bounds reminds us, it’s the answers to prayer that bring it to life. When God responds—whether through a changed circumstance, unexpected peace, or a shift in our own hearts—we’re reminded that prayer is not fantasy or foolishness. It’s real. It’s powerful. It’s how God works in the world and in us. When we see even small answers, it renews our faith and invites us to keep asking. Not every prayer is answered the way we hope, but every prayer draws us closer to the One who listens. And when answers do come, they pull prayer out of the theoretical and into our lived experience—transforming it from ritual into relationship. So if you’re weary today, don’t stop praying. Your next answered prayer might be the one that changes everything. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics