We often seem to view prayer as an act of persuading God to give us what we request. We support statements about the power of prayer with examples of petitioners who have received what they asked for. A church bulletin once used the heading "Prayer Victories" above a list of cases in which members of the congregation had been granted their petitions.

But if these cases represent "prayer victories," what are we to make of the instances in which God seems to say, "No"? Are these prayer defeats? Is prayer powerless in such instances?

Another look at Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane suggests a broader view of the power of prayer. Jesus' prayer that his "cup be taken away" was denied. But Matthew's account shows what His prayers did accomplish. A comparison of the wording of the first prayer (v. 39) and the second prayer (v. 42) suggests that His prayers led to a progressive acceptance of the will of God, and this acceptance gave Him strength as He entered the garden with His soul "overwhelmed with sorrow." He left ready to face the cross.

Perhaps the greatest power of prayer is the strength and peace which come from accepting God's will for our lives.