Maybe you’ve heard, but prayer changes things. Prayer changes people. Prayer will change you.
One prayer that will have an immense and lasting effect on you, especially if used daily, is just three words. And it’s based on a memorable event in ancient times.
The incident happened at a time when the Arameans were at war with Israel, and the king of Aram had a gripe with God’s prophet, Elisha, for repeatedly warning Israel’s king about Aram’s movements and actions. So the king of Aram sent an army to capture Elisha. They arrived at Dothan, where Elisha was staying, and surrounded the city at night.
Early the next morning, Elisha’s servant went outside and saw that they were surrounded by a vast array of horses and chariots.
“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:16-18, NIV).
God not only delivered Elisha and his servant that day; He delivered the entire Aramean force to the king of Israel and sent them home without the loss of a single life (see 2 Kings 6:19-23).
The prophet’s servant lacked the full picture. He looked, but he didn’t see. He needed his eyes opened to the spiritual realities that changed the whole picture.
We need that sometimes too. Sometimes? All the time. Every day.
So why not pray the prayer of Elisha for yourself? “Open my eyes.” To the truth. To the spiritual battle you face. To the God who is for you. To the right decision to make, the right direction to take, maybe the path you need to forsake.
Just three words. But they can turn fear into opportunity, disappointment into blessing, despair into hope and defeat into victory.
