James 5:16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
As America prepares to observe the National Day of Prayer on May 1, I wanted to share some powerful insights I discovered while reading “Why Pray?” by B.J. Willhite.
Willhite wrote, “The law of prayer is the highest law of the universe—it can overcome the other laws by sanctioning God’s intervention. When implemented properly, the law of prayer permits God to exercise His sovereignty in a world under the dominion of a rebel with free will, in a universe governed by natural law.
There are those among the rebels who have chosen of their own free will to obey God. They want His will to be done more than their own. So they pray, ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as in heaven.’
As they pray that prayer, they set up the conditions under which God can legally impose His will in a given situation.”
Prayer is more than a request—it’s an invitation. God, who respects the freedom He gave us, does not force His will upon us. But through prayer, we open the door for Him to move fully and freely in our lives.
When we pray, we are not changing God; however, we are positioning ourselves to receive what He already wants to give. Heaven’s purposes are waiting for earthly permission. Prayer is that permission.
When you feel overwhelmed by impossible situations, remember — prayer isn’t your last resort; it’s the highest authority you’ve been entrusted with. It’s heaven’s legal access point to your situation. No matter how difficult things seem, God is greater — and He’s just waiting for your invitation to intervene!
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy Devotions. This devotional was originally published on Worthy Devotions and was reproduced with permission.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]An elderly teacher, with a pupil by his side, took a walk through a forest. Suddenly he stopped and pointed to four plants close at hand. The first was just beginning to peep above the ground, the second had rooted itself pretty well into the earth, the third was a small shrub, while the fourth was a full-sized tree. The tutor said to his young companion, 'Pull up the first plant.' The boy did so eagerly, using only his fingers...
Since I started Worthy News in 1999 there is one thing I have not seen in 17 years — a day that there wasn’t news to cover! I’ve not taken a so-called vacation since I started the ministry — yet I don’t feel worn out or weary. Of course, my wife wants to take a vacation soon, so we will probably go somewhere this coming weekend. But while I was driving home at around 4 AM last night — I was pondering it — why don’t I feel worn out?
Have you ever noticed that when we get upset about something, we begin hashing up all these things that have happened in the past? Things we thought were long forgiven and forgotten suddenly flood our minds and stir up feelings of anger and bitterness. Before we know it, our enemy has us ensnared in a web of frustration and unforgiveness!
Patience is one of those attributes that you cannot learn by reading about it. It's a quality that can only be acquired by persistent, enduring, practice– and for me it's a drill that I go over, and over, and over again!
In the mid 1850's a troubled teenager from Northfield, Massachusetts moved to Boston to try to find work. He hadn't gone to school beyond the fifth grade; he couldn't spell, his grammar was awful and his manners were brash and crude. Thankfully, an uncle took him on as a shoe salesman--on condition that he be obedient and that he attend church.
The prophet Elijah, through his dramatic demonstration of the LORD’s authority and power, inspired repentance in the people of Israel, calling them to exercise His judgment on idolaters by slaying 450 prophets of Ba’al and 400 prophets of Asherah on Mount Carmel. Yet this spiritual victory was followed by a severe demonic reprisal through the woman Jezebel.
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