The Everyday Power of Prayer: When Faith Is Tested in the Waiting

By Shara Beuler-Rekpa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--QmtfNckFI

It was our prayers for guidance that sent our road ministry back to the West. The Lord kept us in our home state of Texas for a bit, but now He impressed upon us that it was time to roll. The Holy Spirit even sang to Bruce as he strolled through the pasture: “Go West, young man, haven’t you been told?”

Facing Challenges on Our Journey

Our departure date was not without its challenges. We faced an outbreak of equine viruses in Texas and Arizona, an irritated eye on my horse, Nocona, and a flu-type bug for me. But through it all, the Lord provided wisdom as we prayed, and we rolled safely into the horse camp in Arizona.

However, for whatever reason, Nocona’s eye became more irritated and cloudy. Eye ailments in horses can escalate quickly, so I began searching for a good veterinarian.

More prayers were needed: prayers for wisdom for the vet, for my horse to cooperate during the examination, and prayers for focus—not on the problem, but on God’s promises and direction. It’s a scary thing to deal with the unknown when you don’t know the whys or how-tos. It’s easy to feel lost and helpless. (James 1:5-6)

Finding Peace in the Unknown

As I waited for the vet, trying to ignore the butterflies head-butting in my gut, the Lord compassionately reminded me of Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

I’ve come to realize that this verse is not merely a suggestion; it’s a command. He has our best interests at heart. When we pray, He’s immediately on the move. He’s the only One who knows the perfect trail through any rocky circumstance—even if He has to create one! (Isaiah 43:19).

I had a choice. Should I succumb to the knot in my gut and focus on the “what ifs,” bowing to fear of the unknown? Or should I take God at His Word? I couldn’t bear the thought of not honoring Him in this situation, so I dug in my heels before the vet arrived. I immersed myself in the promises of His Word, thanking Him for all the times He had been my help in every circumstance.

The Vet's Visit: A Turning Point

When the vet arrived, God’s hand was clearly at work. Nocona did great, and the vet offered good news along with a treatment plan. I followed that plan to the letter, and Bruce and I prayed over him every day. Of course, we wanted a miracle of immediate healing, but God had other ideas.

Little did we know, this eye challenge would be an opportunity to walk out the verse, “Let patience have its perfect work…” (James 1:4).

As the days dragged on, it was frustrating not to see the progress we wanted. But back to our proverbial knees we’d go, thanking Him for the healing we knew would come, even though we couldn’t always perceive what He was doing. We prayed for further guidance to ensure we weren’t missing anything.

The Importance of Fervent Prayer

God could have miraculously swooped in and made it all go away. However, even though it’s hard to admit, He knew my faith needed refining. Strong faith is not built by quick fixes. It takes time to build that foundation. And fervent prayer is part of His perfect process.

Maybe you’re dealing with something much worse than a horse-eye issue. Nevertheless, the plan of action remains the same: hit your proverbial (or literal) knees in prayer; listen for His answer; take action when He gives direction; pray (and thank Him) throughout the entire challenge.

As we communicate with Him, we will find peace and power in the process. Even though the exact answer to the problem may not be clear, we can be encouraged that God would never encourage us to “pray without ceasing” if He didn’t intend to lead us to the best answer. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Jeremiah 29:11).

The Power of Prayer in Our Lives

The old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," nails it: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”

In the end, prayer is not just a ritual; it’s a lifeline. It’s how we connect with the Creator of the universe. When we pray, we are not just speaking into the void; we are engaging in a conversation with our loving Father. He wants to hear our hearts, our fears, and our hopes.

So, let’s embrace the power of prayer. Let’s make it a daily habit. Whether you’re facing trials or celebrating victories, bring it all to Him. You’ll find that in every season of life, prayer is the key that unlocks peace, guidance, and strength.

Shara Bueler Repka

Author: Shara is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, award-winning author, and everything in between. She lives with Bruce, her awesome husband of 22 years, in their living quarters horse trailer and calls “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mail-base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. They share God’s Word through their music and testimonies (Pony Express Ministry) and minister with their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry.