A man made his way into a towering office building one ordinary morning just like thousands of others. He carried his work bag, grabbed his coffee, and thought through the meetings on his schedule. The morning buzzed with the usual routine of business, deadlines, and busyness. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
But as he walked through the building, something happened that shattered the rhythm of his day. He heard a loud voice, not from another person, but one that echoed deep and unmistakably within him. The voice was urgent, clear, and commanding: Run. Get out now.
There was no time to think, no room to question. He obeyed instantly without gathering his belongings or asking why. He ran for the elevators but then settled for the stairwell. He moved so quickly that one of his shoes came off during the escape. The thought of going back and retrieving it crossed his mind, but the voice was stronger. He didn’t stop. He didn’t hesitate. He kept running, barefoot on one foot, rushing down flight after flight until he finally made it outside.
Moments later, the unimaginable happened. The building he had worked in was struck by disaster. The year was 2001. The date was September 11. And while thousands perished that morning, his life was spared because he obeyed the voice of God.
The Question People Are Asking: Does Prayer Still Work?
Stories like his make us stop and ask: Does prayer still work? If God is real, why do tragedies like terrorism, shootings, and disasters still occur? Why doesn’t God intervene before the worst happens?
These are the questions many wrestle with in a broken world. Some people pray only after a crisis and wonder why the outcome doesn’t change. Others stop praying altogether, thinking it accomplishes nothing. However, Scripture reveals that prayer is not a powerless tradition. It is one of the most powerful forces God has given His children.
The truth is that prayer does not always just rescue us after tragedy. Fervent, consistent prayer can prevent many tragedies before they ever occur.
Fervent Prayer Can Prevent Tragedy
The Bible gives us an example of this in Acts 12. Peter was thrown into prison, awaiting execution at the hands of King Herod. The situation looked hopeless. Herod had already killed James, and Peter was next in line. But something happened in the background that changed everything: “But the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5).
That fervent prayer shook heaven and released God’s power. An angel of the Lord appeared in Peter’s cell, broke his chains, and led him past guards and locked gates until he was completely free. What looked like a guaranteed tragedy turned into a miraculous deliverance because God’s people prayed without ceasing.
If prayer could open prison doors for Peter, what tragedies in our world today could be prevented if believers prayed with that same intensity? How many lives could be spared? How many disasters could be intercepted by the hand of God if His people interceded before the enemy’s traps unfolded?
Prayer is not just about reacting when something bad happens. It is about standing in the gap so that evil plans are canceled before they are carried out.
Who’s Really Behind It? God or Satan?
Every day, we face two forces at work. God speaks life, guidance, and protection. Satan sets traps designed to deceive, distract, and destroy. The man in the skyscraper heard God’s voice and lived. But many others never had the chance to escape because the enemy’s plan was carried out.
Prayer tunes our ears to God’s voice so that we can recognize His guidance. At the same time, prayer exposes the schemes of Satan before they ensnare us. God is the one who saves, but Satan is the one who steals. The question is, whose voice will we listen to, and whose power will we invite into our day?
Why God Wants His Children to Pray
God has chosen prayer as the means by which He moves on earth. He is all-powerful, yet He has ordained that His people must ask Him to act. James 5:16 says the fervent prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective. Second Chronicles 7:14 promises that when God’s people humble themselves and pray, He will hear from heaven and heal their land.
Prayer is not begging a reluctant God. It is joining our will to His will so that His purposes are carried out in our lives and in the world around us. Prayer opens the door for God’s intervention and closes the door to Satan’s destruction.
The Importance of Morning Prayer
Every morning is filled with mysteries from God. Lamentations 3:22–23 tells us that His mercies are new every morning. Each day, God offers His children wisdom, strength, and protection. At the same time, Satan has laid out traps, temptations, and attacks meant to throw us off course.
When we pray in the morning, we step into the flow of God’s mercies and gain discernment to avoid Satan’s snares. Morning prayer is like receiving a map for the day, showing us where to walk and what to avoid. Without it, we are left vulnerable to the enemy’s strategies.
Unfortunately, many believers only pray after trouble comes. They are reactive instead of proactive. But God calls us to meet Him early, to seek His face before the day begins, and to equip ourselves for whatever lies ahead.
Stop Attending Bedside Baptist
There is a saying that Christians sometimes use: “Stop attending Bedside Baptist.” The phrase paints a picture of believers who spend more time under their blankets than they do in prayer. While it may sound humorous, it reveals a sobering truth. Spiritual laziness keeps us from God’s protection and guidance.
Prayer requires sacrifice. It means setting the alarm earlier, shutting off distractions, and putting God first. We cannot expect great results in prayer if we give Him what’s left over after our day is already consumed. If we want victory, we must be willing to rise early and meet with God.
Stories of God’s Warnings and Protection
The man in the skyscraper is not the only one who has heard God’s voice in times of danger. Many believers have stories of being warned not to travel, not to attend a meeting, or to delay a decision. In some cases, these warnings have prevented fatal accidents, financial disasters, or devastating mistakes.
God is not trying to micromanage us. He is protecting us. He sees the dangers Satan has prepared, and He longs to shield us from them. The Holy Spirit whispers, nudges, and sometimes even speaks loudly, as He did that September morning. The question is, will we be sensitive enough to hear Him?
Learning to Be Sensitive to the Spirit of God
Sensitivity to God’s Spirit comes from consistency. When we pray daily, read the Word, and obey what He shows us, our ears grow sharper to His voice. Many miss God’s direction not because He isn’t speaking, but because they are too rushed or distracted to listen.
The Spirit of God loves us. He knows what lies ahead. He longs to guide us away from destruction and into safety. When we pray, we tune in to His leading and walk in alignment with His protection. Prayer still works, but it works best when we listen as well as speak.
Five Steps to Powerful Morning Prayer
If we want to experience real results in prayer, here are five steps we can practice each morning.
Step One: Get up early to pray. Give God the first part of your day before anything else competes for your attention.
Step Two: Spend time in the Word of God. Let Scripture shape your perspective. The Bible reveals God’s will and trains your ears to hear His voice.
Step Three: Don’t just ask, listen. Prayer is a two-way conversation. After you present your requests, pause and wait. God may impress something on your heart or bring clarity and peace.
Step Four: Don’t rush. Create margin so you can linger in God’s presence. If necessary, go to bed earlier so your mornings belong to Him.
Step Five: Thank God before you say Amen. Gratitude demonstrates faith. Thanking Him in advance declares that you believe He has already heard and answered.
These steps are not a formula, but they help us posture our hearts to hear from God and walk in His direction.
In conclusion, the man who ran out of a skyscraper lived because he obeyed the voice of God. That skyscraper was one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. While thousands perished, his life was spared. His story is a living reminder that God still speaks, prayer still works, and obedience still saves lives.
Prayer is not just for emergencies. It is the means by which tragedies can be prevented, lives can be spared, and God’s will can be accomplished. Just as the church prayed and Peter was delivered from death, our prayers today can shift the course of events in our families, communities, and even nations.
So, does prayer still work? Yes. God has not stopped listening. He has not stopped protecting. He has not stopped moving on behalf of His people. The real question is whether we will stop sleeping, start praying, and listen to His voice.
Prayer still works. It always has. And it always will.
By
G. Edward Wyche