It’s easy to underestimate the power that prayer can have on a person’slife. Prayer is something that can turn into a bit of a routine when yourelegate it to morning, mealtimes, and bedtime. But we need to remember howmuch of an impact it can really make.
Our most recent guest on the Ask About My Faith podcast,Michael Bushilla, shares incredible stories of prayer and transformation thatwill inspire you.
Michael Bushilla is anentrepreneur, builder, and passionate follower of Christ. He owns and operatesa stunning wedding venue with his wife and hosts guests from around the countryin his awe-inspiring Hope Glen Farm.
Michael’s faith seeps through everyaspect of his life. His eagerness to offer prayer to everyone he meets has ledto transformation after transformation. We hope you are as inspired by his lifeas we are.
Overcoming the Spirit of Anger
It is hard to imagine now, but formost of his young life, Michael was tormented by deep-seated hatred and angerinherited from his father. His father was tortured for 42 months as a prisonerof war in a Japanese war camp during World War II. That traumatic experienceleft him with immense anger and pain that transferred to his 8 children.
Hate, anger, and rage took overMichael’s life, but God found a way to break through. In 1972, he had agirlfriend whose parents were devoted Christians, and they began to pray forhim. Two years later, in 1974, Michael married his girlfriend and a year later,the prayers of her parents were answered.
God used the opening created bytheir prayers to bypass all the anger that cluttered Michael’s mind and broughtdramatic transformation. His once hateful heart was now full of light, love,and peace that could only come from God. He remembers stepping outside thefollowing day and hearing the sound of birds singing for the first time in hislife.
The transformation was so dramaticthat his family noticed it almost immediately. His brother even asked him whatdrugs he was on because he wanted a taste! God gave Michael a hunger for TheWord and a yearning to see his family transformed similarly.
Over time, God used Michael’s lifeas a catalyst for change in his whole family. All 10 members of his family havefound salvation and are free from the spirit of anger, and it all started withprayer.
Related Post: 8 Ways to Pray Throughout the Day
Prayer Opens a Door for More
Whether chatting with a new coupleat his wedding venue, or a telemarketer calling to sell him a new product,Michael likes to take every opportunity to offer prayer. Everyone needs prayer, andhis remarkable stories show how easily it can open the door for God to domore.
During our conversation, Michaeltells us the story of John and Gabby, an engaged couple who booked Michael’swedding venue for their wedding. After their initial tour, Michael and his wifeoffered to pray for the couple. John initially refused, but Gabby insisted theypray.
Months later, John returned totheir property to inform Michael that he had recently been in a fight, whichled to him getting arrested, and since he was on parole, there was apossibility the wedding wouldn’t be happening. Michael saw this as an opportunityto pour into John’s life. And, thanks to the seed planted during their firstmeeting, the door was open and John was ready to be led into the Kingdom.
The story doesn’t end there.Michael continued his relationship with John, hiring him to work on theirtreehouse, and ultimately officiated John and Gabby’s wedding.
Related Podcast: Check out our conversation, BrianIngram & The Breakfast Bar
The Power of Praying that God WillUse Your Space
“God uses the Treehouse to deliverHis presence.”
In addition to their wedding venue,Michael and his wife transformed the giant tree on one of their properties intoa stunning adult-size treehouse. The 1200-square-foottreehouse has 4 levels with 4 decks, a jacuzzi, and a 30-foot tower completelysoaked in love and prayer. God was welcomed into every stage of the process,and His presence continues to fill every inch of the space.
They have countless stories fromguests reporting how tangibly they felt God’s presence in the treehouse.Couples have arrived on the brink of divorce and come out ready to recommitthemselves to God and their marriage. Believers and non-believers alike knowthat there is something unique about the atmosphere in the treehouse, andMichael’s and his wife’s openness about their faith makes it easy for them toattribute it to God.
Related Post: 5 Simple Ways to Show God’s Love toOthers
Take Every Opportunity to Use thePower of Prayer
Work is not the only place we canlook for opportunities to minister to others. Telemarketing calls are oftentreated like little mosquitos, pests that do nothing but annoy. We often forgetthat they are actual people who are just doing their job, and it is not theirfault that their job interrupts our days.
God has placed it on Michael'sheart to take every opportunity to minister to telemarketers that cross hispath. Rather than dismiss them quickly, Michael likes to take the time to getto know them. He expresses genuine interest in who they are as people andoffers to pray for them.
Michael tells us about a time whena telemarketer named Robert called him. They ended up chatting for a while.Michael learns that Robert is from Delhi, India, and practices Hinduism.Eventually, Michael offers to pray for Robert, and he accepts. That leads to aconversation about God, and Michael’s faith, and ultimately, Robert’ssalvation.
“I don’t have to go to Delhi,India, on a mission trip, because he’s calling me.”
Michael’s Advice on the Power ofPrayer
Michael’s advice to all of us issimple:
Everyone needs prayer.
Everyone needs prayer. When youoffer to pray for them, you are opening the door for God to move. Prayer is allGod really needs from us. You can share the gospel if you feel led to, but mostof the time, prayers are more than enough.
“When they say ‘yes,’ that’s thedoor that the Spirit of God enters.”
Prayer Can Be an Easy Way to ShareGod’s Love With Others.
We often think of evangelism ashaving in-depth faith conversations or preaching the gospel, which can lead tohesitation and intimidation. Not all of us excel at verbalizing our faith, butprayer is easy.
Prayer is something we all do aspart of our faith, and praying for others is a natural extension of that.Rather than preaching to someone, ask them if you can pray for them. If you areuncomfortable praying on the spot, ask them if there is any way you can keepthem in your prayers. Then, if possible, follow up with them.
The Healing Power of Prayer
Whether we need hope in our hearts, healing in our body, or freedom from anger, prayer is the avenue to our breakthrough. Prayer is simply a “request for help or an expression of thanks addressed to God.” As Michael’s testimony shows, there is proven power in praying and access to Jesus’ healing as we talk with Him.
Related Post: The Best Way to Think About Prayer
What Does the Bible Say About the Power of Prayer?
Michael’s story provides us with a perfect example of the undeniable power of prayer. The Bible is full of scriptures on prayer and intercession. Here are some of our favorite power of prayer verses to get you started:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4: 6- 7
What good news! As we pray, we can give our anxieties to Jesus.
See our post: Learning to Live Without Fear or Worry
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” - Mark 11: 22-25
As we’ve seen in the life of Michael Buschilla, we should never underestimate the power of prayer. If you’re wanting to grow in the place of prayer, see our post: 11 Bible Verses Christians Should Know About Prayer
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