Does Prayer Work?

Elizabeth Elliot Devotional

The answer to that depends on one's definition of
work. It is necessary to know what a thing is for
in order to judge whether it works. It would be
senseless, for example, to say that if a
screwdriver fails to drive nails into a board it
doesn't "work." A screwdriver works very well for
driving screws. Often we expect to arrange things
according to our whims by praying about them, and
when the arrangement fails to materialize we
conclude that prayer doesn't work. God wants our
willing cooperation in the bringing in of his
kingdom. If "Thy kingdom come" is an honest
prayer, we will seek to ask for whatever
contributes to that end. What, after all is said
and done, do you want above all? Is it "Thy will
be done"? If so, leave it to Him.

Is it "My will be done"? Don't waste your time
and God's by praying. Have it your way.