Prayer Changes People

 

I awoke recently with lines of a children’s song running through my head, and my mind went back to the summer of 1976 when I was a college student in West Virginia. That summer, between my sophomore and junior years at Concord College, I spend several weeks in ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship. That year of 1976 was one of great spiritual growth for me, and my time with CEF was a large part of my development.

When we teach, we ourselves often learn so much more than the students. As I sang “Did You Ever Talk to God Above?” over and over that summer—in backyards, on porches, and in driveways—I internalized wonderful truths about God’s goodness and power.

The story that accompanies the song is of a little boy who is afraid of horses, unlike his brothers and friends who enjoy riding. One day, he has to ride a horse to summon help.  He is able to overcome his fear by remembering Psalm 56:3—What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. As he rides the horse over roads and hills, he prays for God’s help and encouragement.

The illustrations for the visualized song are eye-catching, and the tune is completely engaging. The best part of the song, of course, is the lesson it teaches—actually the many lessons. I want to think about the one highlighted in the last verse that says this:

          Find the answer in his word; it’s true.
          You’ll be strong because he walks with you.
          By this faithfulness, he’ll change you, too.
          God answers prayer.

My mom used to have a license plate on the front of her car that said, “Prayer Changes Things.” My dad insisted that this statement was wrong. “Prayer,” he said, “changes people.” When we meet with God to seek his will, we really are changed. We think about his goodness, how power, and his wisdom. We acknowledge that he is the only one who can help us, and we return—or should—to thank him and praise him for answers. I want to add that God’s word also changes people. Like the little boy in the story, we find in the Bible courage to move forward and guidance about what is right. That seeking and obeying changes us.

That summer of ’76 was an important one for me. By the next summer, I was engaged, and Larry and I married in August. We have had a wonderful life together, but no life is without struggles and hard decisions. I’m thankful that God is still using the simple and profound truths from my CEF training to help me in 2024!

 Here's the whole song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Mdu

--Sherry Poff