How effective are my prayers in changing people?


The best way to answer your question is to take a look at several Scriptures. Ephesians gives a clear illustration of praying for other people.
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
(Eph. 1:16-19a)
Notice that Paul asked God to give the people wisdom and revelation, in order to understand their future life in God, and for them to know the great riches God has put inside of them. Paul knew that receiving this revelation would change their lives.

The following verse demonstrates what one ordinary man's prayers can accomplish:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
(Col. 4:12)
This Christian put forth great effort in prayer in order that his fellow Christians would reach great heights in God. We must conclude that this type of prayer does change people. Your prayers invite God to do wonderful things in people's lives.

Don't give up on people. Pray for God to move in their lives, changing them, and enabling them to live victoriously. This is an exciting and rewarding privilege.

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