Prayer has power

"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ," Philippians 1:19 NKJV

In an article posted by NBC news Sunday titled, "Man dies after completing Brooklyn half-marathon," the following was reported: A 32-year-old man died after running 13.1-miles to complete the Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday morning. The runner collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line, according to NBC New York. The New York Police Department identified the man as Brooklyn resident David Reichman in a statement to NBC News Sunday. Officers noted that Reichman was unconscious and unresponsive before being taken to a nearby hospital. The New York Fire Department said that staff were on standby at the event when they were alerted to patient in cardiac arrest and rushed him to Coney Island Hospital. A cause of death has not yet been determined. The New York Road Runners confirmed the man's death in a statement to NBC New York. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of a participant following the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half," the statement said. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the runner's family and those close to them."

And while this story is extremely sad, what I find even sadder is that a growing majority of people no longer offer to pray for those who are hurting, instead offering only their “thoughts and sympathies” which have absolutely no power to heal or to truly comfort someone. Prayer, on the other hand, as Paul clearly understood has the power to bring deliverance through the “supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” That means when you and I pray for people who are grieving for one reason or another, we don’t merely feel sorry for them but beseech the Lord to provide for their needs knowing that He has all the power to do so.

So don’t discount the power of prayer the way the world does my friend. You might mean well by sending good vibes, thoughts and your sympathies to someone who is hurting and in need of comfort but only intercession to the Father on the behalf of others has the power to change things. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that prayer can move mountains, melt hearts, heal the broken and comfort the hurting. Cause us to love others so much Lord that our natural reaction to their distress would be to earnestly pray for them rather than to merely offer words that have no power. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!