For a growing number of skeptics in the Western world, especially the elites in our universities and laboratories, prayer is a useless exercise, and a complete waste of time. In the intemperate words of the scoffer,” Why bother praying? Why waste your breath?” To even suggest that the deity—even if He exists at all— listens to and responds to our earnest prayers is sheer folly and unworthy of one who claims to be educated.  Today atheistic materialism trumps religious faith. The Hebrew poet and author of the 86^th Psalm would surely beg to differ with the many detractors of prayer. He knows that the God of Israel listens to him when he appeals for help and this conviction, rooted in faith, gives strength to his daily prayer. This Psalm of supplication is truly a prayer in which the individual does not speak to himself or others about God, but speaks directly to God. One has only praise for the utter simplicity of his words. Consider: “I am poor and needy”, “I cry to you all the day long” and “I lift up my soul to you”. In this prayer there is perseverance, humility and absolute trust in the Lord.

As a people of faith, the faithful disciples of Jesus truly believe that God is good and listens to our prayers. In the seventh verse of the 86^th Psalm, the Psalmist writes, “When I am in straits I call you, for you shall answer me.”

On the subject of prayer, the nineteenth century English poet got it right. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.

Keep praying. At the end of the day, you will not be disappointed.