Well it certainly seems to matter to these two anyway! Both their faces display such an earnest intensity that I am sure they will get results! Sometimes, though, we can feel like we are wasting our breath. When things don't work out as we had hoped - or even become worse than before we prayed - discouragement sets in. Throughout my long and painful battle with serious ill health I had spells of wonderring if there was any point praying about it any more. I understood the attitude taken by some (like Jennifer Rees-Larcombe just before she was healed) who say 'enough is enough' and decide not to seek or receive prayer for healing because of their many disappointments. 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick' says the Book of Proverbs and maybe it colours our prayers also.
But wait. God in His sovereignty has decided to work through the prayers of those who trust in Him. He didn't have to do that but he did so in order that we might receive 'training for reigning' in this life. Prayer creates a channel for the Holy Spirit to work in both the situation prayed for and the one doing the praying. It changes things and us! When I was really ill there were long periods when I couldn't pray for myself. I was too weak and too sad to do so. That was when I learned the power of a praying wife! Also, I was carried on the prayers of loving Christian believers in many lands and churches. So, let's join dogs and boys to keep on keeping on in prayer. 'People ought to pray always and not to give up'! Hang in there!
