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THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER
by Erwin Bourne—July 26, 2002
In a Newsweek cover story entitled “Talking to God”
(January 6, 1992) the Gallup Poll reported that 78
percent of Americans prayed once a week and 57 percent
prayed at least once per day. Some of these prayers,”
Newsweek commented, are born in extremis: There are
few atheists in cancer wards or in unemployment lines.
But in allegedly rootless, materialistic,
self-centered America, there is also a hunger for a
personal experience with God that prayer seeks to
satisfy. Even in the university…prayer has found a
home…. David Rosenban, professor of law and
psychology at Stanford University says, “Now there are
prayer meetings here that are attended by 300 to 500
students regularly.”
But what do you believe about the meaning of prayer?
Is it true, as James 5:16 says, that “the prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective?” Was Jesus
speaking to us when he said, “Ask and it will be given
unto you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7)? Have you staked
your life on the validity of these promises? The
Scripture says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your request to God”
(Philippians 4:6).
Romans 8:26 is a pungent, powerful Scripture on
prayer: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans
that words cannot express.” The following is Jean’s
personal prayer born in her heart by the Spirit, and
the healing of her heart. Without God’s intervention,
our move—to Colombia one month later would have had to be postponed for at
least six months, and perhaps
indefinitely. We record here Jean’s abbreviated
letter to her children, March 29. 1996.
Dear Children—one and all,
It’s been a busy time sorting things out in the
apartment, getting ready to move to Colombia, South
America. About the time Dad had his open-heart
surgery in July, 1995, I, too, began experiencing
frequent chest pains. When walking, even on the
level, I would have to stop and wait for the chest
pains to subside. When going up stairs, I would need
to stop till the pains quit and I could get my breath.
Knowing that Dad had enough to cope with concerning
his own physical problems, I never troubled him about
my condition. Neither did I tell any member of our
family. But realizing my case seemed to be getting
more severe, with the chest pains becoming more
frequent, I determined to find a heart specialist, and
to do what needed to be done—but only after Dad would
leave for Colombia on January 16.
In early February, two specialists put me through all
the tests. They prescribed nitro-glycerin tablets and
scheduled me for the last test—the heart
catheterization. I was told to come in the morning
prepared to stay for open-heart surgery. On March 11
I got up early to prepare. But before I left for the
hospital, I dropped to my knees to pray. “Dear Lord
God, You are my Father and I am Your child. Would You
please heal me?” God had so clearly called me to the
mission work. We already had our flight schedule set
to leave on April 25.
After the heart catheterization, as I came to, I
opened my eyes to see the doctor standing right by me.
He said, “Mrs. Bourne, your arteries are perfectly
clear and you have absolutely no problem.” And
children, Do you know I wasn’t the least bit
surprised!
Have you considered this gift we have been granted by
the Almighty? He never puts us off to a later date,
nor do we need administrative assistants or
secretaries with whom we must negotiate. We are
invited to walk boldly into his presence at any
moment, day or night. He hears the faintest cry of
the sick, the lonely, the despised of this world.
We have a wonderful Father above
With a heart full of mercy and eyes full of love
by Erwin Bourne
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