The strongest action that you can take in any situation is to go to your knees and ask God for help. Whatever is worth worrying about is certainly worth praying about. Prayer unlocks God's treasure chest of great ideas.

I will share with you one of my favorite prayers. It is one word: help.

"Help, help, help!"

When we pray, we must be simultaneously willing to take the action that God directs in answer to our prayer.

There are four levels of prayer:

Level #1 is petitions: "Father, I need...."
Level #2 is intercession: "God, help...."
Level #3 is praise and thanksgiving: "Thanks, Lord!"
Level #4 is conversation: "Good morning, Father."

In Philippians 4:6-7 the Apostle Paul counsels us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

In Colossians 4:2 he says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (NIV).

There are twelve benefits to prayer:

• Prayer defeats the devil (Matt. 18:18).
• Prayer saves the unbeliever (Acts 2:21).
• Prayer edifies the believer (Jude 20).
• Prayer sends laborers into the harvest (Matt. 9:38).
• Prayer heals the sick (James 5:13-15).
• Prayer overcomes the impossible (Matt. 21:22).
• Prayer changes the natural (James 5:17-18).
• Prayer brings the right things to pass (Matt. 7:7-11).
• Prayer imparts wisdom (James 1:5).
• Prayer brings peace (Phil. 4:5-7).
• Prayer guards against temptation (Matt. 26:41).
• Prayer reveals God's answers (Luke 11:9-10).

Source: An Enemy Called Average by John Mason.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing