Prayer That Changes Us: Yes, No, Wait

Jan 11, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Power and Importance of Prayer

The devotional highlights how prayer is a foundational part of our faith journey, taught from a young age and demonstrated through powerful experiences. We hear stories of physical healing, divine guidance in frustrating situations, and even the miraculous survival of a child. These testimonies remind us that prayer is not merely a ritual but a dynamic interaction with a God who actively intervenes in our lives. It underscores prayer's central and incredibly important role in our daily existence. [22:23]

James 5:16 (NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a clear answer to prayer, big or small. How did that experience deepen your understanding of God's active presence in your life?

Day 2: Prayer: A Discipline for Deeper Connection

Prayer is presented as a vital spiritual discipline, a habit rooted in the life and lifestyle of Jesus. It's not about achieving spiritual maturity through the act itself, but rather a means to draw closer to the One who transforms us. By engaging in prayer, we remove the barriers we place between ourselves and God, aligning our hearts with His purpose. This discipline helps us invite His presence into every area of our lives, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [23:34]

James 4:8 (NIV)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Reflection: What "things" or distractions might you be putting between yourself and God that hinder a deeper connection through prayer? What is one small step you could take this week to remove one of those barriers?

Day 3: God's Unchanging Nature, Changing Circumstances

We learn that God hears and answers our prayers, yet His character remains constant. While God does not change His mind or His nature, He often responds to our prayers by changing our circumstances. This understanding helps us reconcile God's sovereignty with our human free will and the call to pray. Our prayers, offered according to His character and nature, invite His intervention, leading to "coincidences" and divine shifts in our situations. [34:12]

Malachi 3:6 (NIV)
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Reflection: When you consider a current challenge, how might God be inviting you to pray for a change in circumstances, trusting His unchanging goodness and character?

Day 4: Prayer: A Relationship, Not a Formula

This devotional emphasizes that prayer is far more than a simple formula where specific actions guarantee specific outcomes. If prayer were merely a mechanical process, we would only need God's power, not His personal presence. Instead, prayer is a beautiful, dynamic journey of growing in relationship with God. It requires faith and fosters a deep, personal connection with the One who transforms our lives and situations, moving beyond a transactional approach to a relational one. [35:56]

Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Reflection: In what ways might you be approaching prayer as a formula rather than an intimate conversation with a loving Father? How could you shift your perspective to deepen your personal relationship with Him this week?

Day 5: Persevering in Prayer, Trusting God's Goodness

Even when prayers seem unanswered, we are called to persevere, trusting in God's perfect timing and wisdom. Sometimes God answers with "yes," sometimes with "no," and sometimes with "wait." In moments of discouragement, we are encouraged to recall past testimonies of God's faithfulness and answered prayers. This practice reminds us of His goodness and strengthens our resolve to continue praying, believing that He is always at work, even when we don't understand the "why." [40:26]

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
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.

Reflection: Think of a prayer you've been offering for a long time without a clear answer. What specific past experience of God's faithfulness can you intentionally recall and meditate on this week to strengthen your trust and perseverance?

Sermon Summary

Prayer is presented as the central, life-changing discipline that draws a person into deeper fellowship with God. Grounded in personal testimony and Scripture, the talk traces prayer from childhood habits to mature spiritual practice, showing how prayer both invites God’s intervention and forms character. Stories of immediate healing and long seasons of waiting demonstrate that God answers—sometimes with rescue, sometimes with delay, sometimes with a different outcome—and that these responses are not mechanical but rooted in relationship and divine wisdom. Prayer is framed not as a formula to manipulate outcomes but as a means to align hearts with God, remove barriers, and cultivate dependence.

The speaker situates prayer within the broader family of spiritual disciplines: Sabbath, solitude, fasting, Scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness. These practices are tools that lead to intimacy with Jesus, while the fruit of the Spirit—love, patience, gentleness—remains the true mark of maturity. Practical guidance includes setting a regular time and place, praying Scripture (especially the Psalms), keeping a prayer journal, praying with others, and learning to listen. The Psalms are offered as a prayer book that models raw honesty, praise, lament, and petition.

The theological tension between God’s immutability and responsive prayer is addressed: God does not capriciously change, yet he responds in ways that fit his character, sometimes changing circumstances and sometimes transforming people. Faith matters; prayer deepens trust rather than produces predictable results. Unanswered or delayed prayers invite perseverance, self-examination of motives, and a posture of surrender to God’s wisdom. Corporate prayer is celebrated for its power to unite a congregation around common burdens and to grow communal faith, even though it is not a magical multiplier of power. Finally, a practical three-week prayer challenge is offered to cultivate consistent habits—small, regular steps designed to expand prayer life and communal focus. The overall call is to grow passion for prayer, trusting that God moves through relationship, patience, and persistent seeking, and to allow prayer to shape both situations and the one who prays.

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer is a relational discipline Prayer functions primarily as a way of being with God rather than a technique for fixing problems. It reshapes desires, refines motives, and creates space for God’s presence to transform the pray-er. Regular, honest conversation with God forms trust that matters more than instant answers. [24:13]
2. God answers: yes, no, wait Responses to prayer are not uniform; they reflect God’s wisdom and timing rather than human expectation. Accepting a “wait” or “no” can require deeper faith and clearer motives, and it often leads to unexpected growth. Tracking past answers helps sustain hope when current petitions linger. [37:05]
3. Disciplines lead to transformation Spiritual practices are means to intimacy with Jesus, not badges of maturity; transformation is the work of the Spirit through disciplines. Regular habits create receptivity to God’s shaping work, which produces the fruit that proves real growth. Pursuing disciplines without expecting inner change misses their purpose. [25:17]
4. Corporate prayer builds spiritual unity Praying together aligns a community around shared needs and clarifies communal vision, fostering mutual encouragement and accountability. Corporate prayer does not confer automatic results but cultivates a collective heart open to God’s movement. Shared petitions create a web of intercession that strengthens the body. [41:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:42] - Opening Prayer and Invocation
[20:13] - Upbringing and Prayer Habits
[20:54] - Testimony: Instant Healing
[22:23] - Prayer’s Power in Crisis
[24:13] - Defining Spiritual Disciplines
[25:45] - Discipline vs. Spiritual Fruit
[27:44] - Prayer Practices and the Psalms
[30:49] - Keeping Eyes Fixed on Jesus
[32:34] - Does God Hear and Answer?
[34:29] - No Formula: Faith Required
[37:05] - Unanswered Prayer: Yes/No/Wait
[41:50] - Three-Week Prayer Challenge
[45:20] - Corporate Prayer and Closing
[1:04:19] - Announcements and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

James 4:6-8 (NIV)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Psalm 42:1-3, 9-11 (NIV)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ... I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Observation questions

According to Psalm 139:4, how much does God know about what we are going to say before we even say it?
In James 4:6-8, what is the specific promise given to those who make the effort to "come near to God"?
The Bible shows that prayer isn't always quiet or polite; sometimes people whisper, cry, shout, or sing. What are some of the raw emotions expressed by the writer in Psalm 42? [27:12]
When Peter was called out of the boat to walk on the water, what specifically caused him to start sinking, and how did Jesus respond when he did? [30:12]

Interpretation questions

If God already knows every word on our tongues before we speak (Psalm 139:4), why is the discipline of prayer still necessary for a believer’s relationship with Him? [32:34]
Spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting are often confused with spiritual maturity. How can a person distinguish between the "habit" of a discipline and the actual "fruit of the Spirit" that marks true maturity? [25:45]
Scripture teaches that God does not change (Malachi 3:6), yet it also shows Him responding to the prayers of His people. How does prayer work to change our circumstances or our own hearts rather than changing God’s fundamental character? [34:12]
When a prayer seems to go unanswered for a long time—sometimes even decades—what does that reveal about the role of faith and trust versus simply looking for a "formula" to get results? [37:05]

Application questions

Prayer is often more than just saying thanks for a meal. What does your current "rhythm" of prayer look like, and how might setting a regular time and place help you move beyond a "formula" and into a real conversation with God? [27:44]
There are moments in life where we might feel like God has forgotten us, even if we know in our heads that He hasn't. Have you ever felt comfortable enough to be "raw and honest" with God about those feelings, similar to the prayers found in the Psalms? [29:09]
It is very easy to get distracted by the "storms" of life and lose focus. In what areas of your life right now do you feel like you are "sinking" because your eyes have moved off of Jesus and onto your problems? [30:49]
James 4:6 mentions that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When you approach God with a request, how can you examine your motives to make sure you are seeking His presence and not just His power? [35:56]
There is a unique beauty in praying together as a community. How has praying with others in the past helped align your heart with the needs of those around you or strengthened your own faith? [41:15]
Growing a passion for prayer often starts with small, consistent steps rather than giant leaps. What is one specific "prayer point" or situation you are committed to bringing to God over the next three weeks, regardless of whether you see an immediate answer? [41:50]

Sermon Clips

51s

#PrayerIsRelationship

“``It's one thing for me to be praying for someone and for them to get healed. That's not necessarily a mark of my spiritual maturity. That is God at work. Right? It's not me. That's God at work. So that isn't necessarily a mark of spiritual maturity. The mark of spiritual maturity is what do I do when someone cuts in line in front of me at the gas pump, or cuts me off in traffic, or perhaps when one of my kids steals that last piece of chocolate cake that I was really looking forward to. That's a real life situation. I'm just bringing it up here. This is my free therapy session. But that's when the mark of spiritual maturity comes to play. Right? What is the fruit of the spirit actually looking like in my life?”

39s

“See, spiritual disciplines are a means to an end. They're they're not the thing, they're the thing that gets us to the thing. Spiritual disciplines get us to Jesus. We talked about nine classic classic disciplines. Disciplines. There's a list of them. There's the Sabbath, the solitude, there's prayer, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness, other lists include a few others. But the other thing we learned is that spiritual disciplines are not a mark of spiritual maturity. The fruit of the spirit is a mark of spiritual maturity.”

32s

“I I've shared this story before as we received the doctor's report for our youngest child before she was born, and they said don't expect much. She most likely won't survive birth. Well, downstairs right now is a pretty intense nine year old that is running, I'm sure. Prayer works. It really does. And I would love to get up here as we talked about last week and give you a formula on how prayer works, but I don't have all the pieces because faith must play a role into this.”

28s

“I remember there was this person standing in front of me. They had hurt their ankle, and it was incredibly swollen. They were dealing with some ongoing pain, and there was a few of us gathered there, and we started to pray for them. And we saw right in front of our very eyes, the swelling on their ankle just disappeared right there and then. It went away. And I was like, well, God, I know that wasn't me because I I can't do that. I know that was you.”

37s

“We would have no need for God, just his power. If it was as simple as a formula, if I pray this way and do this thing, then that is gonna happen. Where is the need for faith for our personal relationship with him? We would have it all figured out. We'd have a formula. All we need is God's power. We're good. But that's not the way it is. As we look throughout scriptures, we look in the life of Jesus, it was through a ever growing deep relationship with the father that we saw answers to prayer in his life.”

44s

“We kinda went through about how prayer is simply just talking to God, and you can talk to him like you would to a friend, or you can pray the scriptures, all of these things that any way you pray, I think, is just the right way. Just praying, talking to God, listening to God. Sometimes, some of the most powerful moments in prayer I've had is where I just say, hey, God. I'm here. And I just sit and I listen or I spend time in his presence. And he's done things in my personal life or in other people's lives where I didn't even have to say a thing, and I just know that it was him. All these different dynamics to prayer, and I think one thing that I think is really important in all of it is to not overcomplicate it.”

48s

“It's me who's taken my eyes off of him, much like you see in the story where Jesus calls Peter out of the boat. Or more so Peter challenges, hey, if that's you, ask for me to come out of the boat. And he does, and he starts to walk on water, but it's the moment he gets his eyes off of Jesus that he starts to sink. Now, I love that the story doesn't end there because it makes it feel like it's this moment of like, oh, I'm gonna mess this up. I know I'm gonna sink. Like, I that's just a given. I I can look back on my life, and I know many times where I've taken my eyes off of God. But yet in that story, I'm so glad it does not end there because then Jesus walks over to Peter and picks him up out of the water. It's all Jesus. It's all Jesus.”

19s

“God, where are you? I don't understand. In some dark moments in life, I've prayed this prayer. I know my mind knows that God has never left me. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. But yet in that moment, I'm feeling like this. God, did you forget? Did you forget?”

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