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I am using readings from the 49 Week Bible Challenge as the basis for these devotions. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are John 17; Ezra 8; Psalm 133; Ecclesiastes 3.
John 17:1-5
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
Ezra 8:21-23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
A comment often attributed to C.S. Lewis is that whether prayer changes God’s mind or the course of events may not be certain. But one thing is certain: prayer changes us. Perhaps it makes us more humble, more aware of our dependence on God and his favor. Maybe it helps us appreciate the good things we have even as we pray. Certainly it lifts our spirits when we pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise to our God.
But looking at Jesus’ and Ezra’s prayers, it’s clear to me that sometimes our prayers change things. James says, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2). Jesus makes it clear, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you” (John 16:23). Then of course there is Jesus’ admonition regarding casting out demons, “This kind comes out only by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). Without prayer we cripple our witness and our effectiveness as disciples of Jesus.
I once prayed for a couple I was counseling and the very next day saw a dramatic change in their relationship. Another time, I fasted and prayed for a good Christmas Eve turnout in the congregation I was serving. That evening, we had record attendance—far beyond what I had imagined.
Yet there is a great mystery in prayer. Sometimes we pray and nothing seems to happen—but we don’t know what might have happened had we not prayed. And when we do not know how to pray, we entrust our needs to the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
I note here the quality of Jesus’ prayer: that God would be glorified through his coming suffering and death. I see how Ezra fasted and prayed for God’s hand of protection. How fully both of these prayers have been answered!
Prayer may remain a mystery, but God’s command to pray and his promise to hear are crystal clear. So I’ll keep praying—who knows what God might do!
David Bahn - Reflections 
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