The Power of Prayer

Many times we have heard of the power of prayer.  We've heard it from scripture, our pastors, our Sunday School teachers, our grandmothers, and many others.  However, sometimes it seems like, to me at least, I am talking into nothingness.  However, there are those times in our lives when God miraculously and very obviously answers a prayer, and we are able to firsthand see the power of prayer.  We see in Genesis 18 where Abraham seemingly changes God's mind.  I don't know if God changes his mind because of what we say or do, but we see that God cared enough about Abraham to listen to what he had to say.  
Yet still, even when God shows up in a powerful way in my life through an answered prayer, I continue to forget the importance of it.  I feel this is why the children of Israel were constantly turning from God, because God knew I would do the same, yet he still loves me.  Many times, even when I am consistently bringing my concerns and thanks to God, I feel as though I don't know what to pray for.  God gives us an amazing promise in Romans 8:26-27 concerning this matter:  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

Because we know the power of prayer, we need not forget to pray for what is important to us.  God wants to hear what we have to say, just as he wanted to hear what Abraham had to say.  Therefore, this week let us commit to praying for camp.  This week at camp we have a mission team here from Rome, Georgia.  They are working on making camp ready for the summer.  Sometimes for mission teams such as this, it can be hard to see the bigger picture since they have never been here when campers are here.  Pray that they will continue to work hard and be able to see that they are doing the work of the Lord.  Also, be praying for the staff and volunteers that are here year round, that we can keep focused on the goal of camp, which is bringing people closer to the Lord.  Second, begin praying for our counselors and staff that are here during the summer.  Pray that they will be prayerfully considering working at camp, and making sure that camp is where God wants them.  Also be praying for their spiritual growth and maturity as they are preparing for the summer. Last, be praying for the campers that are coming this summer.  Be praying that God will prepare their hearts for what they need to hear this summer.  Also, be praying for Child to Camp, that we will bring in enough funds so that every child who wants to come but cannot afford to will be able to attend.  

God knows exactly what we need and when we need it, so take heart in knowing that the Spirit is constantly interceding for us to the Father.