Prayer

What is it? What does it do? What does it accomplish?

When someone prays for healing, does that healing come? If it doesn't was that prayer fruitless?

A common theme throughout the OT is that the prayers of the faithful servants are the ones that are heard and answered. Does this mean if I am not a faithful servant my prayers will not be heard or answered?

Hebrews5:7-10 "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest..."

The man Jesus was, if anyone was, a faithful servant of God, but his prayers and petitions were not even answered in the way he wanted.

So why pray if we don't get what we ask for?

I will keep praying because it reminds me that I am needy and depend on others. It brings me closer to the one I am praying to and connects my heart and spirit to those I am praying for. My prayer is working in me; changing me. When my brother called to tell us his girlfriend's father has passed away today; my heart sank and my eyes filled with tears. We have been praying for Jenny's father. This isn't how we wanted our prayers answered.

Luke 22: 41-42 ...and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."

Phil 4:6,7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I want peace.