My first thought when I wrote the title of this post was all the times that prayer did not change the consequences. Funny how our mind goes to the things that did not happen, yet we all wanted to happen. My biblical memory goes right to King David where he prayed that his child with Bethsheba would live – it did not.

This morning I found one and yet, even so, it was not so much a prayer, but God putting a hold on the punishment until David prayed. Very interesting. The positive outcome and the prayer answered were expected.  Even so, I believe that prayer has its place – while expected in the spiritual world, it is also a force in the physical. One may seem that this could be a violation of the order of things, but I am not too sure how God’s personal contact with these forces are present or part of the order. I may very well have the freedom to engage and change what might seem the order of nature. Who really knows that God will not answer an urgent cry to obviate what otherwise would be a great disaster? If it takes a fervent prayer, may I always be found lifting one up in the name of Jesus.

Then he built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord answered his prayer, and the epidemic in Israel was stopped. – 2 Samuel 24:24 GNT

It is possible that sin accumulates against nations.

“Sins accumulate against nations. Generations lay up stores of transgressions to be visited upon their successors; hence this urgent prayer.” – Spurgeon

The psalmist figures that out.

Do not punish us for the sins of our ancestors.
    Have mercy on us now;
    we have lost all hope.
Help us, O God, and save us;
    rescue us and forgive our sins
    for the sake of your own honor. – Psalm 79:8-9 GNT

This is definitely an urgent prayer. Was it Josiah, even though a man of God, he could not avert the punishment God had planned because of the former sins of idolatry. There is a place where a nation can ask for forgiveness for past wrongs but God will decide if that is enough to change the consequences.

“O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon; for we are come to great misery.” – Book of Common Prayer

Repentance is an important part of my prayer life.

For the sake of Your honour Lord becomes my greatest weapon in the armoury of my prayer life – it leads with repentance and follows with asking God for help. May the Lord find, in my life, the interest of His own glory.

“The ‘inner life with God’ does not mean only our private, individual prayer life. LIfe with God is cultivated by both public and private worship and prayer.” – Timothy Keller