“Does God answer prayer?” I once asked a class.

“Of course… yes… always,” were the quick and enthusiastic replies.

“Then, why don’t we pray more frequently?” I said. A long uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Finally, the excuses began pouring out: “I’m too busy… No time… God’s too busy to listen to me… I don’t know what to say… I’m not worthy… I don’t know how…”

Our individual reasons may sound different but our predicament is basically the same. We (confession time: including me) do not fully appreciate the importance and power of prayer. Prayer should be as critical and functional as the steering wheel on your car. “Without you, O Lord, I can go nowhere!” Yet, for most of us, prayer is actually more like the spare tire. In other words: “Don’t call us… we’ll call when we need You!”

Prayer is supposed to be an ongoing relationship with almighty God more than an opportunity to present a wish list to a heavenly Santa Claus. But any good relationship needs commitment and a willingness to invest time… lots of time. Suppose you told a trusted spouse or friend the reason you couldn’t be with them is: “I’m too busy… No time… You’re probably too busy to listen to me… I don’t know what to say… I’m not worthy… I don’t know how…?” Ouch, that hurts!

Here is God’s promise on the subject of prayer: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Our tendency is to worry isn’t it? Yet we know worry solves nothing and often causes emotional, physical and spiritual harm. Prayer offers a means to give our worries to God, who in return promises a supernatural peace… a peace far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. Could it be as simple as that? Yes, but it requires a commitment to pray regularly.


Here is a basic formula for prayer that has helped me over the years:

  1. Praise God: Praise sets the tone and reminds you who God really is. Try looking at some of the Psalms and reading them out loud to get you started: Psalm 8, 19 & 148.
  2. Confession: A good relationship strengthens with honesty. No sane doctor would offer a cure without hearing what hurts. Admitting your faults promotes spiritual healing.
  3. Listen: Sometimes, it’s easier to talk than to really listen. Easy but not smart. Quiet times are often where you will find direction. Listening allows God to speak to your soul.
  4. Ask for Help: This part becomes more meaningful when you take the time to praise, confess and listen. This is when you literally learn to stop worrying and start praying.
  5. Keep a Journal: It may be the most important part of my prayer ministry. The journal is where disappointments, struggles, joys and miracles are recorded and remembered.

    “Does God answer our prayers?” Yes, but are we doing our part?

    Two people with similar difficulties begin to pray. One expects results and finishes his prayer frustrated and confused. Months later, the problem and the prayer is forgotten. Another prays looking to spend a few quiet moments with a trusted friend and completes her prayer feeling more content and at peace. Over the next few months while recording her thoughts in a journal, she notices progress with the problem itself and especially in her ability to cope. She thanks God.

    Think about it. You have a unique opportunity to be in a relationship with God: One that can make an authentic difference in your life and the life of anyone who comes in contact with you. So, what are you waiting for? God? He’s been waiting patiently for you a long, long time.

38 Comments

Becky Guy · April 29, 2019 at 6:11 am

Prayer for Carol Evans and daughters [loss of Bill Evans]
Prayer for Gary Foss’ son and his family in California–Gary was an outstanding principal in public school and the founder of Fredericksburg Christian School–a humble, hardworking and dedicated life-long Christian who influenced so many!

Mitzi Manning · July 2, 2019 at 12:56 pm

Please pray for Jane Odin, who has a brain tumor and is now in hospice care. She is a member of Fairlington UMC in Alexandria.

    larrydavies · July 6, 2019 at 11:08 am

    Mitzi, I will be praying for Jane today. Praying she receives the care and comfort she needs.

Shirley Barlow · July 16, 2019 at 12:56 pm

I had an accident 3 weeks ago and broke the patella in my right knee and badly sprained my left ankle. This will be a lengthy recovery; however I know I can do all things through Christ. I will look forward to the day I am able to return to church and to my Visitation Ministry. Prayers greatly appreciated.

    larrydavies · July 19, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about your accident. Please know that I will be praying for you as well. I pray that you will soon be able to return to the ministry that is so important for your church. God bless, Larry

    Shirley Barlow · December 13, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    Dear Pastor Larry,
    I do very much appreciate all the prayers. They have been heard and answered. I am completing week 25 of recovery and have been offered an injection for the arthritis that has come to live in my knee. I need to be pre-medicated before that can happen, but I know it will bring relief. It’s wonderful being back in church and being able to get ready for Christmas. Much love and happiness to you and Mel.

keijo · July 20, 2019 at 4:54 pm

Help and pray for me in my the fight against false doctrine who not confess Jesus blood in salvation but using own victims,thanks and bless ,Keijo sweden

Linda Walker · January 6, 2020 at 12:55 pm

Australia and the wildfires. Please pray for the firefighters, people, and the animals.

Cheryl Davis · January 7, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Please pray for baby Mason. He is a two year old that has had a heart transplant!! Now he has developed cancer!

    larrydavies · January 17, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Oh no! I am so sorry. Please know that we are praying for Mason today!

    Liz lowe · February 20, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    oil appreciate your email daily. We had to call in hospice for my husband danny. Just wanted to ask for prayers for the both of us.

      larrydavies · February 28, 2021 at 11:07 am

      I just wanted you to know that we are praying for you and your husband. May God surround you with comfort and peace. God bless, Larry

Becky Guy · March 23, 2020 at 9:38 pm

Praise and Thankfulness that you are so involved in the homeless relief programs in F’burg, Louisa and Lynchburg. I especially appreciate your prayers for Micah. Wonderful stories emanate from Micah where people are placed in homes of their own and life is recalibrated in a positive, Godly manner. I am also thankful that my severe leg wound has almost healed over–6 weeks bound up and treated weekly. God has worked a miracle through The Wound Clinic at Lee’s Hill and I am so grateful to be moving about and rehabbing in Physical Therapy. God is good all the time! Blessings on your good work, Larry Davies! Note new e-mail address

    larrydavies · March 25, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Praise God. I’m so glad to hear that you are healing well. Praying for continued better health. God bless, Larry

    Margaret · November 16, 2020 at 10:23 am

    Update on Bobby Lockett-he got his title, tags and insurance on his van but still needs his license so he drive on his own. He has an appointment in January 2021 but would like one sooner. Prayers for that to happen will be appreciated. Thank you.

Pastor Anburaj · March 31, 2020 at 3:26 pm

Please pray for our area poor pastors family in your prayers, also Aged people, orphan children need more prayer, they urgently need safety and food needs, please pray I hope God will open doors for them, Thank you . Please reply email: anburaj2005@gmail.com

Anne P Maher · May 5, 2020 at 5:56 pm

Hello Pastor, A friend of mine attends your Church and sent me one of your postings as I have been recently diagnosed with uterine cancer. When this diagnosis is discovered early, it has an excellent prognosis for treatment and for being cured. I have undergone extensive abdominal surgery but mine, unfortunately was discovered passed the early stage. My highly skilled and experienced surgeon feels however that I have a good chance of “beating this and coming out on top” through the use of chemotherapy. So I am asking for prayer that from my first chemo session on Tuesday, May 19th and every 3 weeks following x5, that the chemo neutralizes any remaining cancer cells and just knocks them out of the ballpark! Thanks very much.

    larrydavies · May 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    Anne, I just now saw this request. For some reason, it wasn’t sent to me. I will be praying for you. It does sound like you have a good chance of beating this. I hope and pray that you will and look to receive any updates. I will also email you. My God give you healing strength and comfort as you go through the treatments. God bless, Larry

Carol Setteducato · August 3, 2020 at 9:40 am

Pray for my son Sam, he has decided to move to Green Bay, WI. He does not have much of plan, but decided just to move. He is 22 and his father and I have tried to convince him to make a plan and wait until a better time in the economy. Pray for safe travels and he finds a job and place to live in good neighborhood.

    larrydavies · August 7, 2020 at 10:45 am

    I will be praying for Sam today. May God guide him and help him find his way. May he protected and kept safe for the journey ahead. God bless, Larry

Margaret · September 7, 2020 at 8:51 am

Please pray for Ginny Moritz as her cancer as returned in multiple places. She is having radiation and will soon start chemo. She is too young to leave us so pray for healing from this terrible disease. Thank you very much.

Margaret · September 21, 2020 at 1:31 pm

Pray that Bobby Lockett can get his drivers license (he needs the road test) so he can get insurance on his van and also that he can get the title put in his name and get tags for it. DMV is way behind because of COVID 19. Thank you.

Bobbi Langston · September 26, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Good morning, Larry. Please pray for our long time friend Chip Hill in NC who had one leg amputated in March after many years of failed surgeries for poor circulation and he just learned that his other leg must be amputated as well. Between the hospital and rehabilitation, Chip has not seen his wife Bev or family since April due to COVID and has become disoriented. His condition and prognosis are not good. After years of courage, faith and optimism, they are losing hope. Thank you, Larry.

Margaret G Norfleet · September 28, 2020 at 8:16 pm

Pray for Andy Barnard who is awaiting a heart for a second heart transplant and he also needs a new kidney. He is in the Sentara Heart Hospital getting a pump to help his current heart until a new one becomes available.

Margaret · October 5, 2020 at 11:32 am

Thank you for your prayers on Ginny’s behalf, but she passed away. Please pray for her family now as they grieve her loss. She was a very special lady and will be missed greatly.

Richard · October 6, 2020 at 3:29 am

Please pray that the depression I’ve been experiencing these past 2 years lifts for me. I’m struggling to let go and let God take over. I humble myself before Him and ask for His help.

Margaret · October 12, 2020 at 12:50 pm

Update on Andy Barnard-he had a massive heart attack on Friday night and his kidneys have failed. He is in the heart hospital again but because he is so ill, he is not eligible for a new heart right now. Please pray for comfort and peace for him and his family. May God’s will be done in his life. Thank you.

Barb Carr · November 3, 2020 at 11:15 am

Please lift prayers for sweet baby Cam with brain cancer. May her family stay strong and faithful. Touch her with your healing.

MArgaret Norfleet · November 16, 2020 at 10:13 am

Please pray for Shirley Harrell who is 85 and fell about three weeks ago and hurt her hip and bumped her head. Her hip is not broken but it is still causing her discomfort. She is doing some therapy at home. Her daughters trying find someone to stay with her.

Margaret Norfleet · November 23, 2020 at 10:35 pm

Please pray for my daughter Sheryl who is only 42 and she had a stroke earlier today. She had surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain. She can’t feel her left side, so please pray she will make a complete recovery. God bless you all.

Barb Carr · December 13, 2020 at 4:59 am

Please pray for my sister Pam who was hospitalized for a urinary track infection and contracted covid. Pray for healing and safe return to her memory care home in Reston. Barb Carr

Elsie Mastin · December 13, 2020 at 9:02 pm

Prayers that my broken foot will heal without complications,

    larrydavies · December 17, 2020 at 11:35 am

    I will be praying for you today. May God help you in the healing process and give you strength. God bless, Larry

Margaret · January 25, 2021 at 8:51 am

A friend of mine found his 19 year old girlfriend deceased yesterday of unknown causes. Please pray for him and her family and also he needs to return a rental truck and needs a ride back to his car. Joseph truly loved this young woman and now she is gone. He now needs a new place to live, too.

Update on Bobby and his license-took him again and the man told him he was not in the computer so he still couldn’t take the road test. Pray the next time he goes, he can get his license. Thank you.

Asrat · April 30, 2021 at 3:28 pm

Pray for my country Ethiopia for peace and coexistence among people

keijo · May 3, 2021 at 7:52 am

God is near us today.pray for me in the fight against false doctrine who not confess Jesus blood in salvation but using own victims,pray for my eyes sight healing toob less,keijo sweden

an · July 23, 2022 at 1:28 pm

please pray for poor cat B. to get adopted or he can die in termporary shelter thanks

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