Does Prayer Really Work?

[392 words] One of the great privileges of the Christian life is the opportunity to approach the heavenly Father in prayer. God’s people are encouraged to draw near to the Father’s heavenly throne with boldness, seeking help in time of need. Sometimes, Christians get discouraged and may wonder if prayer really works. One might say, “I prayed that God would heal my loved-one, but now my loved- one is dead. Why did my prayer not work?” I suppose we all struggle with the question, “Why?” The answer to the question is not always easy to understand, and, frankly, in some instances we may never find an answer that satisfies. Nevertheless, Christians can know with all certainty that God hears and answers prayer. Biblical proof of this is James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of…