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Larry Ray Hafley
Prayer changes things. Chiefly, it changes us. It transforms daunting doubt
into fearless faith. It brings hope out of despair. It trades tears of guilt for
tears of grace. It forgives wounded years of sin and finds for them years to
heal and mend. It alters lost, lined faces, removing the past of bitter
traces.
Yes, prayer changes things. "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much" (Jas. 5:16). If you doubt it, ask David (Psa. 32; 51). Ask Job
(Jas. 5:10, 11). Ask Paul (Rom. 15:30, 31; 2 Cor. 1:8-11). If you still doubt,
do not bother to pray (Jas. 1:5-8).
My brother, Morris Hafley, recently sent me a note wherein he related the
following story:
"I remember brother Cope telling us about a man whose son had been dismissed
from Florida College. The man flew from a large northern state in a rage and
angrily barged into brother Cope's office without allowing the secretary to
introduce him. Brother Cope, seeing what was about to happen, stood up, kindly
greeted the man, and said, 'Brother, I know we need to talk, but before we do,
let us go to God in prayer, and you lead the prayer, please.' Brother Cope said
the man broke down and cried."
Usually, we are forced to break down and cry over the results of our
foolishness. We cry because we did not think to pray before we acted. So, before
you write that angry letter, before you tell someone exactly how you feel,
before you act hastily or react rashly, say, "'Brother, I know we need to talk,
but before we do, let us go to God in prayer, and you lead the prayer, please.'"
'Tis better to cry then than later.
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