What would happen if we took prayer seriously?

It seems like “I’m praying for you” is as common as “hello, how are you?” Do we really take prayer seriously? Do we understand the power we hold?

“Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hearken to them.” (Isaiah 65:24)

God promises that when we approach the throne of grace with our desires, our hurts, praises, thanksgiving, fears, and hopes, then He does hear from his throne AND He will answer.

“And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.” (I John 5:14-15)

I am saddened that it seems prayer has become more of a catch phrase than the power it contains. It seems that many are more comfortable with saying “I’m praying for you” than actually approaching the throne of the One that is the Creator. I am not saying everyone, of course, has that mentality. There are many powerful and fervent prayer warriors in our midst.

It does, on the other hand, make me wonder how our country would be different if we truly took prayer seriously. Prayer is something that extends beyond our Sunday morning Mass attendance. It should be a daily conversation with the Lord. It should be as normal in our daily schedule as eating lunch and dinner.

There are many things in our daily life that we view as “non-negotiable”. Those things, in reality, do not hold any eternal value for our children or ourselves and we sacrifice those things that hold eternal value for the things of this world. We say we don’t have time to go to Mass, but we go to our child’s football practice and games 6 days a week. We say we don’t have time to pray, but we make time to scroll through Facebook and TikTok for hours. We say we don’t have a chance to pray for others or with others, but we consistently talk about the political propaganda and election currently at hand.

“And if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God promises that He will hear our prayers. (Job 22:27, Jeremiah 29:12, Psalm 17:6)

Jesus tells us that if we pray and ask whatever we want in His name then He will provide. (Mark 11:24)

Before we become so overwhelmed with the negativity, violence, and leftists’ attacks on our culture, we must understand that our first counter-offensive attack is to pray and not to take to social media. It is the Lord, not Facebook, that will change our future and our circumstances. Pray without apology.