It is how God works.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed. Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.’” – 2 Kings 3:16-17 GNT

Remember when Elijah wanted rain – remember what happened? That did not happen with Elisha – he neither saw nor heard the rain. Prayer has this amazing power to bless people and we really do not know the how. I also have noticed that even though my own family members may not be receiving the blessings I pray on them, others do.

In the waiting on God, through prayer, I prepare for those floods of grace to give.

When I need God to respond, He does. His blessing wait on my heartfelt prayers and my faithfulness.

It is the very reason why Paul asks for prayers.

Finally, our friends, pray for us that the Lord’s message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1 GNT

I will never really know how individuals are helped because I have prayed for them. If there is nothing else I can do, I can pray.

Specifically, that the power of God’s Word would change lives. I pray that there are no obstacles that stand in the way of just that – may there be a free and clear path to preach the gospel.

Of course, many things we do now, including prayer and praise, can be called a “pleasing sacrifice” to God (Hebrews 13:15–16), but they are no longer an appeasing sacrifice. In Hebrews 13, Christian prayer is depicted as a thank offering for a salvation already secured by Christ. Prayer is not, on New Testament terms, an atoning or appeasing sacrifice that turns aside God’s wrath and procures and merits God’s attention and favor. – Timothy Keller