Philip Yancey’s excellent book, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference, begins with a story from the author’s November 2002 visit to St. Petersburg, Russia. The city was preparing to celebrate its 300th birthday and many buildings were covered with scaffolds as the city got a facelift.
Early one morning Yancey went jogging and as he turned a corner, ran into a piece of steel rebar and passed out. When he awoke, he was in pain and missing a front tooth. Having heard horror stories about Russia’s medical care, he decided to wait and see his own doctor when he got home.
He sent an email requesting prayer from loved ones…but his internet connection was poor and he was unsure if his message got through. He later reflected how we often wonder if our prayers reach God.
Sometimes we pray and get dramatic answers, while at other times nothing seems to change. We are unsure if our prayers are effective.
Even so, a Gallup poll several years ago revealed more Americans pray weekly than: exercise, drive a car or go to work. Remarkably, 75 percent of Americans said they pray daily.
Patricia Hampl observed when we pray we place ourselves in God’s care and acknowledge we need him. But even those who pray regularly do not always do it well. Yancey told the story of an extremely shy woman who attended a class he taught about prayer.
She came regularly, but never spoke, so the class was surprised when she said, “I’m not always sincere when I pray, and sometimes it seems forced, more like a ritual. I’m just repeating words. Does God hear those prayers? Should I keep going even though I have no confidence that I’m doing it right?”