This is the Truth Network. Encouraging Prayer. God offers an open invitation for His people to talk with Him at any time about anything. On Encouraging Prayer, Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling Prayers for Prodigals and many other books on prayer, provides weekly biblical insight to help you learn to love to pray.
And now, here's James. We call today's episode Prayer Changes Me. Because we need to talk about the difference consistent, faithful prayer can make in our lives. James, before you and I went on the air, you were saying that the difference here really goes deeper than we know, right? Yeah, Robbie, it's so true.
I I didn't used to like to talk about this topic because it can seem so, I don't know, self-serving. Behind this is the thought that We sometimes hear that, well, if prayer works for you, that's your thing. Or if it makes you a better person, how nice for you. But don't expect it to go much farther than that. That's the way the world tends to see it.
You know, it's sort of this.
Well, it's not that way for everyone, but you do you, kind of thing. You're right. I've heard that more than once, really, in so many words. Yeah, yeah. And and then there's the opposite perspective.
that we really shouldn't talk about what prayer does for us because it's Supposed to be all about God, but it's God who tells us. To make it about ourselves sometimes by bringing our needs to Him and casting our cares on Him.
So it only makes sense that he would make something He wants us to do Also something that's beneficial for us. Right.
So let's talk about some of the things God does for us. when we again faithfully, consistently pray. Because It's actually measurable, and there are neurological changes that occur, and that's what I meant. When I said it goes deeper than we know, this actually affects us. Physiologically even.
All right, I'm ready. Let's go deeper.
Okay, well, I've been reading a great book recently by Ryan Skoog and Peter Greer and Cameron Doolittle called Lead with Prayer. And just in the second chapter, man, they really got my attention with this. I'm going to read a little bit from it. Ryan Skoog writes, Andrew Newberg, an agnostic neuroscientist at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital, has been lauded as one of the 30 most influential neuroscientists alive. And it goes on and and to talk about him a little bit and says this.
Uh i in his own words, he concluded. Biologically, regular extended prayer over an eight week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured On a brain scan. Yeah. I read that and I thought, Whoa. But then I realized Yeah.
That makes perfect sense to me. be because of of what I've experienced in in time with God. And Skug goes on to write, prayer fortifies or builds new neural pathways in the areas of the brain associated with social interaction, compassion and sensitivity to others. Regular prayer also decreases anxiety, stress, and anxiety. stress and depression in scientifically measurable ways, positively changing our neurochemistry.
And again, this is citing the studies of Andrew Newberg.
So consistent extended prayer, Scoot concludes, also works against anger and rigidity in the brain by reducing Stress hormones. I don't know about you, but as soon as I read that, man, lights started going off on my dashboard, you know, in a good way. Right, right, because You know, it only makes sense that, you know, the peace that transcends all understanding. I think that's the way that goes, right? Yeah, yeah, or think about, you know, he will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.
Because they trust in him. Um We know this. And I yet You know, so often we sort of look at this wistfully because, oh, well, you know, we all know. We could pray more than we do. But Here's a good question.
What if we never prayed at all? Yeah, well First of all, we'd have no relationship with God. But secondly, Think how much we'd miss. Right? Oh, I I d I I just think about Revelation 3, where it says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock, you know and and where it says he'll come in and he'll dine with you like you were sitting across a dinner table with a friend and the opportunity there Is to the church and it is.
Like, man, best friend you ever had. Right, he's talking to the church when he says that, and that's the whole point, letting Jesus in. And when we let him in, he changes everything. And it it's It's such a beautiful thing. I mean, I you know, if I Think of one thing the Holy Spirit has done for me.
Since I've received Jesus, if I could say, okay, here's the difference between James then and now. He has given me his peace. in a palpable way. And the only reason I know that is because I know what I would be like without it. Woo!
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I hate to even, in fact, I can remember, you know, because it's been such a remarkable change. But the beauty is it's. It's continuing to get better.
You know, I guess to some extent, you know, he becomes more and I become less, and that's all the better. Yeah. So this is th this is the interesting thing. It is actually In a neurological, physiologically measurable. Outcome Of a spiritual effect.
Yeah, it's like the finger of God in our lives, or the hand of God. upon us. when we're spending time with him. And we don't do it. just for that benefit, but Once you get into that you know, place of of realizing, oh, I have to do this.
you know, not just for ourselves, but for being with him, out of love with him most of all. That's when the real changes occur. Yeah, that's Absolutely beautiful and a good time to pray. All right. Take it away.
Lord, thank you for this insight. Wow. Lord, I pray that it would help that side of my brain that needs logic to add to the equation to go, Lord, I need to spend more time with you for so many reasons. Lord, show us the way. Prompt us so that we can get there and Lord, help us to be that light that would help others to do the same.
And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. You can hear more from Pastor James by visiting his website, jamesbanks.org, or by visiting Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray.
