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. --Philippians 4:6-7

While pastoring Guttenburg United Methodist Church in Guttenburg, Iowa, Karl Goodfellow conducted an experiment with his church members regarding prayer. Pastor Goodfellow planted soybean seeds in two pie pans. He then asked them to pray over only one of the tins and leave the other to “Mother Nature.”

After a few weeks, the congregation was amazed to witness the superior crop produced from the seeds that received prayer. This act of prayer became the start of a special ministry to pray for farmers by name. Today, it is called the Safety Net Prayer Chain and now has over 5,000 people praying for 50,000 farmers individually. Even though the crops are part of their prayers, warriors are praying for more than the growth of their seeds. As a result of their prayers, they have seen miraculous protection and provision take place in the lives of the farmers.

The most intimate communion with God comes only with prayer. Ask people who’ve faced tragedy or trial, heartbreak or grief, failure or fear, loneliness or discrimination. God says “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” (Philippians 4:6-7).

You won’t believe the changes that will occur in your life when you come before God in prayer. Begin practicing prayer frequently throughout your day and see how much closer it brings you to the Lord. When you finally fall to your knees and pour out your soul to Him, you’ll find yourself saying, “I can’t explain it, but I feel a peace like I’ve never felt before.”

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Spend time today praying to God through praising, thanksgiving, and petitioning. Pray that you would sense His Spirit in your conversation with Him.