Anxious when you turn on the news, scroll through your phone, or even talk to a neighbor these days? The current state of our world is full of uncertainty and is making even the calmest of people feel a bit unsteady.
However, there’s an answer to help combat the anxiety, fear, and worry that our modern world carries. The Bible teaches us that our battle is not against flesh and blood. In Ephesians, we read:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12
Prayer is the primary way to combat doom-scrolling, anxiety, and fear in uncertain times. And the best part? It doesn’t just give you peace internally; prayer can actually provide peace in the world.
What Is Prayer?
Prayer is simple: it’s talking to God. It’s not a magic formula: prayer is simply talking to God, as you would talk to a friend. The Bible tells us more about the simplicity of prayer in the book of Philippians:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God – Philippians 4:6
This Bible verse about prayer tells us not to be anxious, but rather to tell God everything. God presents us with a beautiful and powerful invitation – prayer in every situation. God knows that we may feel nervous and overwhelmed, and His remedy is prayer. Communicating with God is one of the most awesome gifts in the whole world.
Bible verses on prayer remind us that in every situation, prayer is appropriate. Whether it’s silent prayer, a prayer that you whisper when you feel nervous, a prayer that you pray each morning while driving, or a time of extended prayer at a prayer meeting where Christians gather to pray aloud, prayer is the best response to current events.
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Whether you’re experiencing everyday worries, the onslaught of the 24-hour news-cycle, or traumatic moments and memories, prayer never fails to do something powerful. Sometimes all you can whisper is a prayer for help; other times you are praising God for who He is; other times you give God thanks for how He’s moving, and yet other times prayer looks like tears without words.
What makes prayer different from a mantra, wishful hoping, or positive thinking is that prayer is effective. Your requests are reaching the very ear of God! The God of the Bible, Jesus Christ, actually listens and responds. Prayer is way more powerful than any coping mechanism or strategy – it’s a line of communication to the one who can split the seas (Exodus 14), heal the sick (Matthew 4:23 -25), raise the dead (John 11:38-48), and command angels on assignment (Psalm 91).
How Do I Know if My Prayers Are Working?
In the wake of tragedy, disaster, war, famine, or catastrophe, sometimes it can feel like prayer is the last thing you should do. In recent years, discussions on social media have accused Christians of being passive for resorting to prayer when bad things happen. Thus, it’s an honest question to wonder, “How do I know if my prayers are working?” or “Are my prayers really doing anything?”
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First, it’s helpful to remember that prayer doesn’t work like a vending machine or a genie-in-a-bottle. Sometimes, we experience God answer “Yes” by a change in our situation. Other times, God is up to something that we interpret as a “No,” when in reality, it’s a “Not yet,” or a “I have a better plan”.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. – 1 John 5:14
This Bible verse on prayer from 1 John 5:14 shows us a framework for prayer. We have confidence to approach God about anything, but our prayers aren’t meant to bend God to our plans; prayer is meant to align our hearts (and our actions) with His. Sometimes, we are to be the answer to our own prayers.
Besides this, God works through our prayers in various ways. Here are a few things to look for if you’re wondering if your prayers are working:
1. Supernatural peace: One way to know if your prayers are working is that you experience peace, even though the circumstance hasn’t changed yet. In the book of Philippians, we read:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
Sometimes, the first evidence of answered prayer is peace within our own hearts. When the world feels like it’s falling apart and there’s viral discussion about the end times, our hearts can grow anxious and overwhelmed. Even though we might not see a war end right away or peace between two disagreeing parties right away, when we experience the supernatural peace of God, we know that He is answering our prayers and that He’s up to something good.
Listen to our interview with Rheanna Arfsten about how to pray without giving up on YouTube:
2. A changed perspective: One of the reasons that prayer is the best response to current events is because prayer changes our perspective for the better. Prayer has a way of reshaping how you see, experience, and respond to current events and painful situations. When you see your perspective changing, you know your prayers are doing something good.
Related Post: Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer
3. Direct answers to prayers: Sometimes the fruit of our prayers is obvious. Sometimes the diagnosis suddenly changes, the outcome you’ve been praying for happens, and the relationship you were contending for is restored. It’s so easy to forget all that God has already done and all the prayers that He has already answered.
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4. A deeper relationship with God: If you’re praying regularly in response to current events, you’ll discover that you quickly get God’s heart for the varying situations across the globe. When you’re praying regularly, you’ll notice yourself becoming more aware of God’s presence throughout your day, not just in times of prayer. And the beautiful thing is that faith grows as you continue in prayer. Hebrews 11:1 tells us:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
Prayer is the best response to world events because it grows a spiritual confidence in us that God is on the move. While we won’t always get to see the answers to our prayers on the news or the full picture of how God was faithful on this side of eternity, it doesn’t mean that prayer isn’t working. It means you’re growing in trust in a God who is actively working everything for good on the earth.
Download our FREE e-book on prayer: Let’s Talk About Prayer: Simple Steps to Connect With God
Conclusion
So, now you have an antidote, a remedy, and a spiritual superpower when the world feels heavy: prayer. If current events leave you feeling anxious, discouraged, or unsure about what to do next – remember that prayer isn’t your last resort; it’s your first line of defense. And the power of prayer goes beyond the supernatural peace that it can give us. Prayer in response to world events is a way to bring real change to a hurting world.
Discover more about the power of prayer by following the Everyday Faith Podcast on YouTube:
